July 1, 2009 - U.S. Voters Back Public Insurance 2-1, But Won't Use It, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 72% Won't Pay More Than $500 A Year To Fix Health CareWord format
Although 69 percent of voters nationwide say Americans should have the option of government- run health insurance, only 28 percent would choose to be covered by it, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Voters say 49 - 45 percent they would pay more to reform health care, but a total of 72 percent don't want to pay more than $500 a year.
Of the 88 percent of American voters who have some form of health insurance, 49 percent are "very satisfied" with their plan and 36 percent are "somewhat satisfied." Among voters with Medicare or Medicaid 54 percent are very satisfied, compared to 45 percent of voters with private insurance. Voters say 52 - 34 percent that most Americans do not get good value in the cost and quality of health care. But these same voters say 70 - 25 percent that they personally get good value in the cost and quality of their health care, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll of more than 3,000 voters nationwide finds.
Only 15 percent of voters would be willing to pay $500 to $1,000 more in taxes each year for a health care plan that reduces costs and covers those who don't have health insurance. Another 27 percent would pay less than $500 per year, with 3 percent who would pay $1,000 to $3,000 and 45 percent who don't want to pay additional taxes.
While 54 percent of voters think the primary goal of any health care legislation should be to lower costs, 38 percent believe providing health coverage for everyone is most important.
"American voters want their fellow countrymen to have the option of a public plan, but don't want a public plan for themselves because they are satisfied personally with their health care," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "That presents a challenge to those who want Americans to pay more to reform the system."
"In addition, seven out of ten voters aren't willing to chip in what amounts to the price of a cheese pizza per week - without extra toppings - in order to finance an overhaul," Brown added. "Opposition to paying any additional taxes ranges from 40 percent among lower paid voters to 52 percent among those making more than $100,000 per year."
Voters trust President Obama more than Republicans in Congress 53 - 33 percent to handle health care.
By an overwhelming 63 - 30 percent margin, voters oppose a new tax on health care benefits workers receive from their employer.
The Quinnipiac University poll of American voters also finds:
* 55 - 40 percent support for limiting tax deductions for those earning more than $250,000 to finance a health-care program;
* By 46 - 38 percent, they don't believe the government can raise enough to finance health- care reform just by taxing those who earn $250,000 or more;
* Reject 51 - 44 percent requiring everyone to have health insurance;
* Support 73 - 24 percent requiring employers to help pay health insurance for workers;
* Believe 52 - 42 percent that a public plan will "keep private insurance companies honest;
* Split 46 - 49 percent on whether a public plan would put private insurers out of business;
* Believe 58 - 32 percent that government-run health care would be a "bad thing."
Americans agree 53 - 44 percent it is the government's responsibility to make sure everyone in the United States has adequate health care. This compares to a 64 - 31 percent margin in a February, 2007, Quinnipiac University poll and 61 - 35 percent in May, 2008.
"Americans say they want the government more involved in health care, but not in the health care received by themselves or their families. Seven in ten say they are getting good value for the health care they receive, but only a third think their friends, neighbors and countrymen are faring as well," said Brown.
"There seems to be a disconnect between the projected price tag that is being thrown around to overhaul the health care system and how much the vast majority of Americans are willing to pay for it. They don't mind the rich or business financing it, but they don't seem all that eager to do it themselves. It does raise questions about whether the American people understand the financial enormity of what is under consideration."
From June 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 3,063 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 1.8 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed -
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - health care?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His
Approve 46% 17% 76% 37% 43% 48% 39% 85% 56%
Disapprove 42 72 13 48 45 39 47 8 34
DK/NA 13 11 11 15 12 13 14 7 10
AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL.........
18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con
Approve 54% 42% 45% 49% 43% 44% 72% 51% 23%
Disapprove 35 47 40 37 47 48 17 33 68
DK/NA 10 12 15 14 10 8 11 15 8
INSURANCE TYPE Q38.. WHITE.............
NoHlth M'care/ NoColl Coll BrnAgn
Insure M'caid Prvate Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew
Approve 58% 50% 43% 45% 47% 26% 33% 40% 60%
Disapprove 33 34 45 42 43 62 53 50 24
DK/NA 9 15 12 14 10 13 14 10 16
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1295.xml?ReleaseID=1344