Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:23:3
Matthew Borghese - AHN Editor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President Barack Obama has hammered out a path to reform healthcare in the United States, but a new poll says the vast majority of Americans wouldn't use a government-sponsored plan, even if it was available.
In the latest Quinnipiac University national poll, released on Wednesday, 88% of Americans say they have a healthcare plan, but only 28% would voluntarily switch to a government-run scheme.
Nonetheless, Americans are strongly in favor of healthcare reform from Capitol Hill. When asked, 69% of voters are in favor of having a government-run option, even if just over a quarter of Americans would choose to use it.
Currently, 49% of Americans are "very satisfied" with their plan while 36% are "somewhat satisfied."
"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," Quinnipiac University Polling Institute assistant director Peter Brown explained. "That presents a challenge to those who want Americans to pay more to reform the system."
"In addition, seven out of ten voters aren't willing to chip in what amounts to the price of a cheese pizza per week - without extra toppings - in order to finance an overhaul. Opposition to paying any additional taxes ranges from 40 percent among lower paid voters to 52 percent among those making more than $100,000 per year," Brown added.
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