Americans worry about losing coverage they have now.
The shape of the Obama health plan may be decided as soon as this week -- at least if a bill is going to be manhandled through Congress this year as the President is exhorting the Members to do. In the backroom Democrats are arguing ferociously about whether they should create a new Medicare-like entitlement for the middle class on a bare liberal majority or instead a less ambitious program that might attract moderate Democrats and maybe even a few Republicans.
Progressives and their media cheerleaders naturally are urging door No. 1. Well fair enough though they shouldnt be conscripting voters into their crusade.
Over the weekend a
New York Times-CBS News poll carried the headline Wide Support for Government-Run Health and the lead that Americans are strongly behind one of the most contentious proposals Congress is considering. This is a reference to the so-called public option but if you read the actual questions you learn that the public is far less supportive of liberal policy goals.
Its true that 72 of the 895 respondents told pollsters that they support another health program. But policy details complicate their thinking.
Even among those who favor the government covering the uninsured only 47 would still support a public option if it meant their own health costs would rise -- as they inevitably will until the government is compelled to start rationing.
On that score 77 were very or somewhat satisfied with the quality of their own care while 68 were concerned that a public option will restrict their access to treatment.
Some 53 were worried about being forced to switch doctors.
Merely 43 were willing to pay even $500 in new health taxes -- the costs will be far higher -- and only 28 believed Presidents Obama rhetoric that a new entitlement will improve the economy.
Results like these are echoed in poll after poll including a new
NBC News-Wall Street Journal survey and of course all this is common knowledge on Capitol Hill.
All thats new is the political repackaging -- which is making an appearance now because liberals know that their health dreams could become deeply unpopular once voters realize what they will mean in practice.
*This article is from the Wall Street Journal
