New Poll 70% of Californians Support CA Medicare for All Bill providing universal single-payer

[Quixote1818]

In response to the other thread that says 66% oppose it in CA. Also, Pew Research has the national number at 60% for singer payer: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/23/public-support-for-single-payer-health-coverage-grows-driven-by-democrats/


58% SUPPORT SB 562 EVEN AFTER HEARING OPPOSITION ARGUMENTS

A full 70 percent of Californians favor establishing a public, Medicare for all type system providing universal single-payer health coverage, with lower costs for all Californians, as proposed in the Healthy California Act, SB 562.

Moreover, even after hearing the main opposition arguments to SB 562, a strong majority, by up to 58 percent say they still support the goals of SB 562. Less than a third oppose it.

That’s the findings of a new public opinion poll by the Tulchin Research firm, from a survey of 600 likely November 2018 California voters May 25 to 29. The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United sponsored the poll.


Snip>
Pollsters also read those interviewed specific arguments made by the insurance industry opponents of the bill, including the (unsubstantiated) claims that it would cost more than twice the current state budget, eliminate patient choices, and cost jobs, or shortchange other state priorities, contrasted with leading arguments for the bill.

Even after hearing the opposition arguments, support for SB 562 still was as high as 58 percent. Less than a third said they opposed the bill after hearing the opposition arguments.

More: http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/entry/new-poll-70-percent-of-californians-support-ca-medicare-for-all-bill/

[leftstreet]

1. DURec

The cost of health care was in a virtual tie with the cost of housing for what respondents believe is the “most serious problem facing California today.”

DURec

[nycbos]

2. It all depends on how the questions are asked.

[Quixote1818]

4. With Pew's national numbers at 60% it only makes sense that CA would be above that number.

Not to mention this poll also gave the opposing view:

Snip: Pollsters also read those interviewed specific arguments made by the insurance industry opponents of the bill, including the (unsubstantiated) claims that it would cost more than twice the current state budget, eliminate patient choices, and cost jobs, or shortchange other state priorities, contrasted with leading arguments for the bill.

Even after hearing the opposition arguments, support for SB 562 still was as high as 58 percent. Less than a third said they opposed the bill after hearing the opposition arguments.

[nycbos]

7. Just wait for the 100 million negative ad buy.

Most people will oppose it in a few months.

[Not Ruth]

3. It's happening

[Warpy]

5. You have to be very careful how you ask questions.

"Single payer" sounds to a lot of people like you're going to give one soulless corporation a monopoly. Of course they're going to be leery, near monopolies have been deadly enough.

However, they do know what Medicare is and they know it's a good thing, so they'll approve the same thing if you call it Medicare.

[Quixote1818]

6. As I said above, this poll gave the opposing arguments and it was still popular

Snip:

Pollsters also read those interviewed specific arguments made by the insurance industry opponents of the bill, including the (unsubstantiated) claims that it would cost more than twice the current state budget, eliminate patient choices, and cost jobs, or shortchange other state priorities, contrasted with leading arguments for the bill.

Even after hearing the opposition arguments, support for SB 562 still was as high as 58 percent. Less than a third said they opposed the bill after hearing the opposition arguments.

[roamer65]

8. We should call it Medicare expansion.

It's an ACA-like term and has good connotations to it.

[countryjake]

9. K&R!

[Progressive dog]

10. The poll asks about costs while claiming

that it will drop costs to 1/3 of what Californians currently pay. Sounds like a push poll.
http://www.healthycaliforniaact.org/wp-content/uploads/Healthy-California-Act-Statewide-Survey.pdf
Of course if it costs 1/3 of what the opponents claim (see survey), it will still more than double the California state budget.
http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/FullBudgetSummary.pdf
Since states can't run deficits, I wonder how much taxes will have to increase in California. I hope that Californians don't have to find out.

[roamer65]

11. If CA has a balanced budget amendment to its Constitution...repeal it.

Then CA can run deficits just fine. Nothing specifically precludes it from the federal level. It does have to be demoninated in US dollars, as states cannot issue money.

Canadian provinces routinely run deficits and they are denominated in Canadian dollars.

California would benefit from running a small deficit...in the 1-2 pct of state GDP range.

The best way to do it would be a California Savings Bond.

[Progressive dog]

13. Vermont is the only state to not require

a balanced budget. By that reasoning, it should have been easy for Vermont to do single payer but after actual number crunching, Vermont didn't.
States don't borrow for current expenses, except in an emergency and the federal bankruptcy code does not allow states to declare bankruptcy.
California would have a hard time borrowing if it were spending for current expenses. That certainly would reduce the price of their outstanding bonds and drive up interest rates on new borrowing. If California put that amendment on the ballot, bond prices will begin to sink and interest rates to rise, just on the possibility of the amendment passing.

[Bradshaw3]

12. That other "survey" is from a lobbying group

dedicated to "keeping healthcare private", i.e. for profit. I posted on the other thread but the other "poll" comes from a lobbying group representing insurance brokers and agents.
It's not so much a matter of how questions are asked but who is (or is not) behind the pollsters. Pew is independent.

[ZX86]

14. Where are California's most powerful legislators Feinstein and Pelosi on this issue?

Now is the time for strong and bold leadership to carry us into the 21st century.

[BigmanPigman]

16. The silence is deafening.

I live in CA and have been following this, especially since I need the ACA desperately. I sincerely doubt this will happen in my lifetime. I had to leave teaching before I had was old enough to retire with health benefits and now depend on disability. My ACA insur and pharm med costs take over 30% of that. Very few people realize that CA ranks 48th in the amount of money given to public schools per student. They do not have affordable housing in major cities and everyone and everything is highly taxed. The state economy is very complex.

[George II]

15. Unless I missed it, I don't see 70% anywhere in that poll.

[NobodyHere]

17. Your poll says 33% for the national response