Fear of Losing Private Health Insurance Trumps 'Public Option'

Fear Of Losing Private Health Insurance Trumps 'Public Option'

Originally Posted At The Rasmussen Report
October 4, 2009

Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters nationwide say guaranteeing that no one is forced to change their healthinsurance

coverage is a higher priority than giving consumers the choice of a "public option" health insurance company.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% take the opposite view. They say it’s more important to give people a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option.

Most liberal voters say giving people the choice of a public option is more important. But most moderates put guaranteeing that no one is forced to change their health insurance first, and conservatives overwhelmingly agree with them.

Currently, 53% of insured voters say it’s likely they would have to change their health insurance coverage if the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats becomes law. That helps explain why 54% of voters believe that the health care system needs major changes, but just 41% support the comprehensive reform proposed by the president.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The fear of being forced to change insurance coverage can be seen in results from a pair of survey questions.

The first question finds that 46% favor the creation of a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option that people could choose instead of a private health insurance plan. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are opposed.

The second question asked about the creation of a public option if it encouraged companies to drop private health insurance coverage for their workers. Given that possibility, support for the public option falls to 29%, and opposition rises to 58%.

Even if it encourages employers to drop private health insurance for their workers, 51% of Democrats still support the public option. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans and 61% of voters not affiliated with either party are opposed.

The president has said that no one would be forced to change their insurance coverage if his plan is implemented. However, many analysts have concluded that some employers would drop their private health insurance coverage if the plan is passed, forcing millions of workers to change their coverage. In a Wall Street Journal column earlier this year, Scott Rasmussen noted, “In political terms, the most important reality will be how the reform affects the 68% who say they have good or excellent health-insurance coverage.”

In addition to concerns that people with insurance might be forced to change their coverage, most voters (53%) believe a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option would cost taxpayers money. Just 34% believe it would produce savings for taxpayers.

Most voters under 30 believe the government option would save taxpayers money while their elders disagree. Sixty-two percent (62%) of senior citizens believe it would cost taxpayers money, the highest total of any age group.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of all voters believe private health insurance companies would provide better service and more choice than a government-sponsored non-profit health insurance option. Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe the government-sponsored option would offer better service and more choice.

Times247.com Poll

Public Opinion View Results

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