For 39%, Government Option Support Depends On Details

21 Oct, 2009 by William Teach

Print this article Font size -16+

I guess they will not support it, since there really are no details

While the majority of Americans appear to have made up their minds on healthcare reform, 39% say their support for a final healthcare bill will depend on how the details still being worked out in Congress are resolved.

The finding comes from a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted Oct. 16-19. In addition to the 39% of Americans still on the fence, 25% say they have already decided to support the final bill while a slightly larger number, 33%, say they will oppose it.

The percentage of Republicans saying they will oppose the final healthcare bill is higher than the percentage of Democrats who will support it, 62% vs. 47%, largely because more Democrats than Republicans are reserving their final judgment until the details of the legislation are worked out. Independents say they will oppose it by about 2 to 1, 36% vs. 19%, while the largest segment of this politically unanchored group (42%) says it depends.

Interestingly, 42% of Independents and 41% of Democrats would like to know the details before they say yea or nay. As I wrote on October 8th

We have no idea what the costs actually are. Who is covered? What are the co-pays? What are the reimbursements? What are the deductibles? What are the premiums? In-network/out-of-network? Generic vs. name brand? Limitations? Out-of-pocket maximums? If the government denies your claim, who do you complain to and sue? When your company finds that it is cheaper to pay the fine rather than pay for your health insurance and drops their offering, you might be asking those same questions.

Hey, if I knew the actual details, I might support it, if it was a very limited and targeted public option designed for a very limited group of people. But, we will never know, because the idea of a public option will be stuck in the legislation with the same same language one might tell one’s third grade teacher what one’s paper will be about. “What is your paper going to be about, Barry?” “Socialism’s effect on lifestyle.”

“By 58% to 38%, Americans would generally prefer to see Congress deal with healthcare reform ‘on a gradual basis over several years’ rather than ‘try to pass a comprehensive reform plan this year.'”

Democrats do not care. The whole purpose of 1,500 page Senate and 1,200 page House bills is to put Big Government in charge of your life.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove