QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL ON PUBLIC INSURANCE

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 CARE

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.”

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.”

Dates conducted: June 23-29. Error margin: 1.8 points.