NYT: 59% of our "Center-Right" Nation Wants Govt. Healthcare

[kpete]

NYT: 59% of our "Center-Right" Nation Wants Govt. Healthcare
by gsadamb
Sun Feb 15, 2009 at 07:03:27 PM PST

The theme of the poll is as follows:

As CBS News Sunday Morning commemorates its 30th anniversary, this poll examines Americans’ views on some key issues today compared to three decades ago when the program first aired.

The healthcare question reveals that Americans are much more likely to desire government-sponsored health insurance than they did in 1970.

HEALTH INSURANCE: PRIVATE ENTERPRISE VS. GOVERNMENT?

1979
Private Enterprise: 48%
Government - All Problems: 28%
Government - Emergencies: 12%
Don't know: 12%

2009
Private Enterprise: 32% (-16%)
Government - All Problems: 49% (+21%)
Government - Emergencies: 10% (-2%)
Don't know: 9% (-3%)

So there you have it. Private industry loses 16% and a full government healthcare solution gains 21%. A full 37% swing. Take note, Democrats.

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/SunMo_poll_0209.pdf

[Oregone]

1. Duh....everyone wants something for "free"

It doesn't mean they support socialism or a mixed economy. They probably just realize they are getting screwed. Its like asking someone if they want to walk or get a ride to the store (most will pick ride, but it says nothing of their political affiliation or philosophy).

[peace13]

6. Just because it would be government operated

doesn't mean that it would be free.

[Oregone]

8. I know that.

Im on BC MSP. Costs $108 a month for my family.

But my point is people just don't want to pay as much (everyone wants to save dough). The perception of a government ran program is that it is universal and you don't have to pay an assload.

Yet I don't see these people electing Democrats or Socialists. I don't see them embracing public entitlements (welfare, etc) that create a social net. Probably some of the same people who answer yes are fantasizing about doing harm to the ultimate welfare-queen Octomom. This poll really isn't being answered fairly, in my opinion. People are probably hearing, "Do you want cheaper insurance"? Of course, the majority does.

Yes, Im presuming emotionally involved, cash-strapped people are not perceiving and answering this question honestly, or the voting patterns in the US would be very different.

[eridani]

14. Do you get the difference between "free" and "free at the point of service"?

What's wrong with health care as a public good like fire protection?

[Oregone]

16. Nothing. I favor it...

I just don't necessarily think this poll reflects what people really believe in. Otherwise, voting patterns of the last 50+ years would be very different.

[eridani]

17. Not easy to fight all the Harry and Louise crap

However, things are bad enough now that we might actually have a chance. IMO it would be criminal not to try.

[Skink]

2. Brother can you spare a heart?

I got one:loveya:

Not for me but anything Obama can give us.

[Selatius]

3. Still, the corporate lobbyists have out-sized influence on Capitol Hill.

Money can bend things away from the majority. It's why the US is the last in the industrialized world to address the issue of affordable health care for all its citizens.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. That's A Very Exciting Set Of Numbers

Most docs are now in favor as well.

Perhaps we'll soon have what every other industrialized country has - better, cheaper, and universal health care.

[Mojorabbit]

10. I hope it happens

It is needed so badly.

[Journeyman]

5. Another indication the country is slowly catching up to the me of my youth . . .

though CBS should know, I've moved on in the past 30 years.

[sandnsea]

7. Insurance doesn't equal a govt health care solution

Govt subsidized insurance is not single payer govt health care. I wish they would ask more specific questions.

[jtrockville]

9. The media often uses "health care" and "health insurance" interchangeably.

It's as if they don't know the difference.

[old mark]

11. All the politicians already have it themselves, they just

don't want you to have it.

mark

[Occam Bandage]

12. If there is one place where I think Obama and the Dems will badly undershoot their mandate,

it is healthcare. As unbounded as my optimism is elsewhere, I hold little hope for meaningful healthcare reform.

[NorthCarolina]

15. Unfortunately, I feel the same as you about this issue.

I hope the future proves us wrong, but on the issue of health care reform I am not optimistic. A likely scenario for the outcome being driven by the health insurance lobby can be found here: http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2008/12/health-insurance-lobby-no-competition-thanks.html

[New Dawn]

13. K&R

[mmonk]

18. We need to push for H.R. 676 and push those numbers.