Health Care Reform - Public Opinion

Health Care Reform
Public Opinion

A majority of Americans express a desire for health care reform because they see it as too expensive and because they perceive that insurance companies avoid meeting health costs through coverage exclusions, caps, and co-pays. They also express concern that the system as a whole does not cover everyone and that many people are under-insured or uninsured. A majority support the creation of a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers, known as a public option and a significant majority support a single-payer health care system. A majority say that they are satisfied with the health care they personally receive. (Nate Silver, 2009)
A New York Times/CBS News poll in June 2009 found that Americans overwhelmingly support substantial changes to the health care system and are strongly behind a government-run insurance plan. (Kevin Sack and Marjorie Connelly, June 20, 2009) It stated that people think the government could do a better job of holding down health-care costs than the private sector. The poll found that 72% in support of a plan while 20% said they were opposed. Nearly 60% of respondents said that they would be willing to pay higher taxes so everyone could have health insurance, and 40% were willing to pay as much as $500 more per year. 56% supported single payer, believing "The federal government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans". However, the poll also found “ The impact of heightened government involvement, on both the economy and the quality of the respondents’ own medical care." While 85% supported fundamental restructuring of the health care system, 77% reported that they were very or somewhat satisfied with their own care.
To Conclude, many opinions on whether to allow universal health care or reconstruct it and make some changes. Many as high as 60% are willing to pay higher taxes so everyone could have health insurance! ( Michelle Levi, April 6, 2009) Adding some exceptions...