84 of Americans including 46& of the uninsured are satisfied with their current health care status
A nationwide poll conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Zogby International released this afternoon shows 84 of Americans including 46 of Americans without health care say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the health care they currently receive and more than half say they would not be willing to pay any more in taxes to make sure all Americans are insured 1200 WOAI news rperots.
We didnt find that 84 said health care was perfect in the United States but pretty satisfied and very satisfied added up to 84 S. Ward Casscells M.D. Vice President of the Health Science Center and the lead author of the survey told 1200 WOAI news in an interview.
And Casscells says one reason that President Obama is pushing so hard for a vote in Congress now is that the momentum is against him.
As we get closer to this August deadline we are finding support for big health reform legislation is slipping.
He says while Americans by a 48 to 44 margin oppose an expanded role for government in health care there is wide support for some of the initiatives within Obamas plan.
88 support efforts for example to eliminate fraud in the health care system 77 favor the standardization of medical forms and 73 back efforts to cut down on medical errors. Interestingly 58 of Americans think money should be saved by restricting the care of illegal immigrants.
But Casscells says when you get into the costs of the program support falls off rapidly.
When asked how much more they would be willing to pay in taxes per year to make sure all Americans are insured 51 answered none. Only six percent said they would be willing to pay an extra $1000 or more.
Support for taxes is low support for mandates is very low Casscells said.
68 of Americans including 67 of the uninsured think insurance companies should set rates based on age and behaviors with lower premiums for non smokers and people who get regular vaccinations.
The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 1.6 percentage points. The survey was conducted on line.
