Breaking Zogby/O’Leary Poll Shows a Sizable Majority of Americans Agree on Eight Critical Health Care Issues
As the White House and congressional Democrats attempt to revive their embattled health care reform plan, a breaking new Zogby International/O’Leary Report poll shows that a strong majority of Americans agree on eight critical health care issues. On five health care-related issues, 70 Percent of Americans have put their partisan differences aside, and on three other issues a majority of Americans agree by a 2-1 margin with what’s right for America on health care reform.
Washington, DC (Vocus) September 15, 2009
As the White House and congressional Democrats attempt to revive their embattled health care reform plan, a breaking new Zogby International/O’Leary Report poll shows that a strong majority of Americans agree on eight critical health care issues. On five health care-related issues, 70 Percent of Americans have put their partisan differences aside, and on three other issues a majority of Americans agree by a 2-1 margin with what’s right for America on health care reform.
The Zogby/O’Leary Poll surveyed 4,426 likely voters on September 4-8 and has a margin-of-error of plus-or-minus 1.5 percentage points. Below are the health care questions on which strong majorities of voters agree:
1. Currently, Americans may only purchase health insurance from a provider licensed in their state. Some say that Americans should be allowed to purchase health insurance from providers in different states possibly creating more competition and driving down the price of health insurance. Do you agree or disagree?
Agree 82.8%
Disagree 6.9%
Not sure 10.2%
2. Currently, medical malpractice insurance costs doctors in some areas of the country up to $200,000 per year, a cost that doctors pass on to their patients in the form of higher fees for service. Do you agree or disagree that tort reform is needed?
Agree 78.5%
Disagree 12.4%
Not sure 9.1%
3. Do you support or oppose taxing employer-provided health care benefits?
Support 12.6%
Oppose 77.3%
Not sure 10.1%
4. There are currently 26 million Americans age 18 and older who can afford to purchase health insurance, but choose not to purchase it for a variety of reasons. There are also 12 million illegal immigrants in America who lack health insurance. Do you think taxes should be raised to fund a government-run health insurance program for these people?
Yes 15.2%
No 75.0%
Not sure 9.8%
5. Do you agree or disagree that the federal government should require all Americans to purchase health insurance, or face a fine?
Agree 18.5%
Disagree 70.2%
Not sure 11.3%
6. Do you agree or disagree that health insurers should be allowed to restrict coverage or charge higher premiums for patients with pre-existing conditions?
Agree 19.9%
Disagree 68.7%
Not sure 11.5%
7. President Obama is promoting a new government agency called the “Independent Medicare Advisory Council,” and some people believe this agency should use its powers to deny payment for procedures it deems unnecessary or futile. Others say that such power would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. Do you support or oppose the creation of an “Independent Medicare Advisory Council?”
Support 30.6%
Oppose 58.8%
Not sure 10.7%
8. Do you agree or disagree that Americans who lose or leave their jobs should be able to stay on their previous employer’s health insurance plan?
Agree 54.6%
Disagree 25.1%
Not sure 20.3%
“Congress should put forward a health care reform plan that addresses these eight issues on which most Americans agree,” said Brad O’Leary, publisher of The O’Leary Report. “In particular, tort reform and permitting Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines have near universal appeal with voters. New taxes, on the other hand, are almost universally opposed.”
Brad O’Leary is publisher of “The O’Leary Report,” a bestselling author, and is a former NBC Westwood One talk show host. His latest bestseller on the looming threats to free speech in America, “Shut Up, America! The End of Free Speech,” (www. EndofFreeSpeech. com) is available now in bookstores. To see more poll results, go to www. olearyreport. com. To interview Brad, contact Shawna Shriner at (703) 272-1500 or shawnashriner (at) pm-direct. com.
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