A nationwide poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that Americans are concerned about adding to the country’s deficit with national health care reform.
The poll released Wednesday found that by a 55 to 35 percent margin Americans are more concerned about increasing the deficit than overhauling the health care system. By a 72 to 21 percent margin, voters do not believe that President Barack Obama will keep his promise to overhaul the health care system without adding to the deficit.
Also 41 percent of the 2,409 voters polled believe Obama’s health care plan will hurt the economy while 39 percent believe it will help the economy and 14 percent said it wouldn’t make a difference.
American voters disapprove 52 to 39 percent of the way Obama is handling health care, down from 46 to 42 percent approval July 1, with 60 to 34 percent disapproval from independent voters. Voters say 59 to 36 percent that Congress should not pass health care reform if only Democratic members support it.
“President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress appear to be losing the public relations war over their plan to revamp the nation’s health care system,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a press release.
What is it about that plan that voters like or don’t like?
-62 to 32 percent in favor of giving people the option of a government insurance plan;
-61 to 36 percent for higher taxes on high income earners to pay for health care reform;
-60 to 32 percent in favor of insurance subsidies for individuals making up to $43,000 and families of four making up to $88,000;
-54 to 38 percent for requiring businesses to provide insurance or pay the government.
Voters oppose 68 to 26 percent requiring people to have health insurance or pay a fine and oppose 68 to 27 percent taxing employees for health care benefits from employers.
Reaction to the poll from Connecticut’s Republican and Democratic Parties
“What is truly amazing is how thin-skinned the Democrats have become on an issue they have been waiting 40 years or more to cram down the throats of the American people,” Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy said in an email. “Democrats love debate when everyone agrees with them.”
He said Wednesday’s turnout at the Simsbury Stop N Shop should give Connecticut’s Congressional delegation a good idea of how their constituents feel. The event hosted by US Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5, was well-attended by those who oppose national health care reform and was similar to scenes playing out across the nation.
Responding to Healy and the tactics of his party at Congressional town hall-style events, Colleen Flanagan, communications director for the Democratic State Central Committee said, “Healy continued to spew his party’s talking points against healthcare reform.”
“Chris Healy is lying, plain and simple,” Flanagan said. “Chris may choose to parrot back his party’s teabagging nonsense on this issue, but that doesn’t mean it’s true.”