Public Opinion on Health Reform

August 21, 2024

Bernie Sanders: Democrats should run on a progressive economic agenda. Americans are ready.
The Guardian
August 5, 2024

Bernie Sanders:  In order to combat a political system which ignores so many of the most important concerns facing the majority of our people, my campaign recently commissioned a poll in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The results of the poll are not surprising, and not unlike other polls done over the years.

They show that, at a time of huge income and wealth inequality, unprecedented corporate greed, a failing healthcare system, a grossly unfair tax structure, an extremely high rate of childhood poverty, and too many seniors struggling to pay for their basic necessities, the American people want strong governmental action which addresses the longstanding needs of working families.

In other words, it turns out that progressive economic proposals are extremely popular – not only among Democrats but also among independents, Republicans and even the most ardent Trump supporters.

In fact, whether a candidate is running for the White House or a city council seat, endorsing policies that support working families is not only the right thing to do, it’s good politics.

Following are a few results from the detailed, 23-page poll:

Democrats have clear solutions for the biggest issues facing the country
84% of Democrats agree
9% of Republicans agree

Republicans have clear solutions for the biggest issues facing the country
8% of Democrats agree
88% of Republicans agree

Do you think large profitable corporations should pay
More in taxes?
88% of Democrats agree
49% of Republicans agree
Less in taxes?
4% of Democrats agree
15% of Republicans agree

Do you think the wealthy should pay
More in taxes?
89% of Democrats agree
55% of Republicans agree
Less in taxes?
3% of Democrats agree
9% of Republicans agree

Do you support or oppose establishing a Medicare for All single payer healthcare system?
Support
85% of Democrats
41% of Republicans
Oppose
7% of Democrats
45% of Republicans

Do you support or oppose cutting the cost of prescription drugs in half?
Support
89% of Democrats
79% of Republicans
Oppose
8% of Democrats
13% of Republicans

Do you support or oppose eliminating all medical debt?
Support
77% of Democrats
52% of Republicans
Oppose
16% of Democrats
36% of Republicans

For Third Year in a Row, PRI Survey Finds Vast Majority of Americans Are Satisfied with their Health Coverage
StreetInsider.com
August 5,2024

Based on a new national survey commissioned by Pacific Research Institute, a California-based, free market think tank, 91% said they were satisfied with their current health insurance plan.

Just 37% of respondents said they would support a complete government takeover of America’s health care system, where private health insurance would be banned, compared with 47% who were opposed.

 

Comment by: Don McCanne & Jim Kahn

In this political season, it is imperative that we distinguish between the terms “policy” and “politics.” When policy concepts are totally removed from the political environment, the public, if they have a clear understanding of the policy, will generally choose what is right for them and not oppose what is right for the population as a whole as long as it does not have a significant negative impact on them. Although the intensity of the support for beneficial policies for others may vary based on political alignment, there is much more agreement in support of these beneficial policies than is commonly perceived. It is when special interest groups introduce more intense politics into the debate that deceptively larger differences in support will appear.

As an example, in health care, people support policies that make it universally accessible, with free choice of physicians and hospitals, making it efficient by eliminating administrative waste, eliminating barriers such as excessive cost sharing, or insurer prior authorization requirements, and, especially, making it affordable which can be most readily accomplished through progressive taxes, thereby eliminating the scourge of medical debt. As policies, these would all be widely accepted except for those concepts that have been tarnished by political attack, such as “taxes.” When these policies are combined, they would create the vastly superior single payer Medicare for All method of financing health care if it weren’t for the persistent political attack that has left part of our nation uncomfortable with the concept.

This bias in framing is evident in polling differences. Note the profoundly negative framing of the survey conducted by the right-wing Pacific Research Institute, asking about “complete government takeover of America’s health care system, where private health insurance would be banned” – employing frightening language, instead of highlighting the financial protections and health benefits of universal insurance. These framing debates will play out intensively in any attempt to win popular support for single payer, such as in ballot initiatives. We will see in the current presidential campaign if “joy” and shared responsibility for each other can win over doom-and-gloom government-is-your-enemy rhetoric.

Our more immediate task is to elect a President and a Congress that would be willing to enact and implement health policies (i.e., single payer) that would improve the cost, access and affordability of health care for everyone. For the next step we would need to intensify our education of the nation on precisely what these policies are, why they would be better for all of us, and then why we must change our politics and the rhetoric of our politicians so that the people would make it clear to the president and Congress that these are the policies (single payer) that they need to bring to us.

Education on policies will be the relatively easy part, but changing the politics so that we have a system to bring health to all of us instead of wealth to the select few will be the greatest task before us, but we have to do it