From CBS News, New York Times (conducted: 6/12-16/09)
* 85% of adults want either fundamental changes to the health care system or want it rebuilt.
* 50% feel that the government will do a better job at providing medical coverage than private insurance.
* 57% feel the Democratic party is more likely to improve the health care system, versus only 18% with the Republicans.
kris lazaro
» Commentary by Kris Lazaro (registered Democrat)
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care?"
* Approve: 44
* Disapprove: 34
"Which of the following three statements comes closest to expressing your overall view of the health care system in the United States? (1) On the whole, the health care system works pretty well and only minor changes are necessary to make it work better. OR, (2) There are some good things in our health care system, but fundamental changes are needed. OR, (3) Our health care system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it."
* Minor changes: 13
* Fundamental changes: 51
* Completely rebuild: 34
"Do you think the government would do a better or worse job than private insurance companies in providing medical coverage?"
* Better: 59
* Worse: 26
"Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican Party or the Democratic Party is more likely to improve the health care system?"
* Republican party: 18
* Democratic party: 57
"Would you be willing or not willing to pay higher taxes so that all Americans have health insurance they can't lose, no matter what?"
* Willing: 57
* Not willing: 37
"Do you think the federal government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, or isn't this the responsibility of the federal government?"
* Should guarantee: 64
* Not responsibility: 30
"Would you favor or oppose the government offering everyone a government administered health insurance plan -- something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get -- that would compete with private health insurance plans?"
* Favor: 72
* Oppose: 20
Although 85% of Americans want drastic changes to the health care system, this is actually a figure that has remained constant. In 2006, it was 89% of Americans and 85% in 2008.
But just because they want drastic changes to the system does not mean that they are all so privvy for a universal single payer plan but this poll does point out that 72% of adults would favor a public option in health insurance.
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson
We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology. - Carl Sagan
I believe that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity an obligation; every possession, a duty. - John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
