In the wake of President Barack Obama's recent address to Congress on healthcare, a new poll reveals he may not have the support of most Americans on his reform plans.
The Zogby International/O'Leary Report survey of more than 4,200 likely voters found that a large majority oppose key provisions of Obama and the Democrats' healthcare reform proposals, including plans to extend health insurance to as many as 50 million uninsured Americans and to incorporate a form of healthcare rationing in the reforms.
Zogby International and The O'Leary Report asked respondents several questions relating to the healthcare reform issue. Some results:
Asked if they agree or disagree that the federal government should require all Americans to purchase health insurance or face a fine — a provision favored by Democrats — 70.2 percent said they disagree, and only 18.5 percent agree. The rest are not sure.A resounding 75 percent of respondents said that taxes should not be raised to fund a government-run health insurance program for Americans who do not have health insurance.The pollsters stated: "President Obama is promoting a new government agency called the 'Independent Medicare Advisory Council,' and some people believe this agency should use its powers to deny payment for procedures it deems unnecessary or futile."Critics say such power would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship, the pollsters noted, and many consider it a form of healthcare rationing. Nearly 59 percent said they oppose the creation of the council, and just 30.6 percent support it.
Some Republicans have called for provisions allowing Americans to purchase health insurance from providers outside their state as an alternative to Obama's proposed government-supported "public option" insurance plan. Respondents said they favor such provisions by an overwhelming margin, 82.8 percent to 6.9 percent.Also, 78.5 percent of those polled believe tort reform is needed to lower the cost of medical malpractice insurance, an issue that Obama has not seriously addressed. And 77.3 percent oppose plans to tax employer-provided healthcare benefits.
"Tort reform and permitting Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines have near universal appeal with voters," said Brad O'Leary, a best-selling author and publisher of The O'Leary Report.
"New taxes, on the other hand, are almost universally opposed."
© Newsmax. All rights reserved.