More Americans Prefer Public Option to Bipartisn Bill

[Elphaba]

ABC News Poll: More Americans Prefer Public Option to Bipartisan Bill
Jake Tapper

In our most recent ABC News/Washington Post poll respondents were asked:

"Which of these would you prefer – (a plan that includes some form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can’t get affordable private insurance, but is approved without support from Republicans in Congress); or (a plan that is approved with support from Republicans in Congress, but does not include any form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can’t get affordable private insurance)?"

Fifty one percent said they preferred the public option; 37 percent said they preferred a bill with some support from Republicans in Congress. Six percent said neither and seven percent expressed no opinion.

The question has some relevance, since Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, is the only Republican lawmaker to show willingness to vote for a health care reform bill pushed by Democrats, but she opposes the public option. Some in the White House have worked hard to bring Snowe on board, thinking she provides cover for moderate Democrats and wanting to be able to say they passed a bill with bipartisan support. Some in Congress have argued that Snowe's support is not worth it, given her opposition to the public option.

Earlier this month I asked White House spokesman Robert Gibbs which the president preferred, and he didn't really answer the question.

[Just_A_Guy]

I know it seems like I'm harassing you, Elphaba, but really I'm just bored and you're providing a lot of thought-provoking material today.

I do wonder how the poll would have gone if the question had been

Which of these would you prefer – (a plan that includes some form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can’t get affordable private insurance, but is approved without support from Republicans in Congress); or (a plan that is approved with support from Republicans in Congress, but does not include any form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can’t get affordable private insurance beyond the existing Medicaid and S-CHIP programs)

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Guy

I know it seems like I'm harassing you, Elphaba, but really I'm just bored and you're providing a lot of thought-provoking material today.

That's cool. It's nice to know someone reads my drivel.

I do wonder how the poll would have gone if the question had been. . . beyond the existing Medicaid and S-CHIP programs)

I doubt the majority of Americans have any idea what the details of Medicaid and S-CHIP are, except that they are for the poor. So I don't think it would make a difference large enough to change the chart.

Elphaba

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

I've begun saying this so often, it's becoming a mantra.

Colorado already has a public option for people who have been denied coverage. www.covercolorado.org So do lots of other states.

Stop with the federal power grab! This stuff belongs on the state level!

LM

[ferretrunner]

LM, exactly. The problem may become funding. With the downturn in the economy, WA had to cut people out of its program. I think programs like that would work. Have "group" insurance rates available for groups of lower income (or no benefits) workers/ families/ individuals. Sliding fee scale; your premium goes up as your earnings go up but with an upper limit that is affordable to families. It would probably be necessary for the program to get some tax money or public money, though.