Rasmussen: People starting to appreciate American health-care system
posted at 1:10 pm on August 3, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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With all of the talk about how badly the American health-care system needs an overhaul, one might have expected its customers to give it the lowest possible ratings. Instead, Rasmussen’s polling shows the opposite. In the last three months of debate over a government takeover of the health-care industry, support for the current system has improved by nearly a third, and less than a fifth now rank it as poor:
Forty-eight percent (48%) of U.S. voters now rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 19% rate it as poor.
These figures reflect a significant increase in support for the health care system over the past few months. In May, just 35% of adults nationwide rated the system as good or excellent. A year ago, just 29% of Likely Voters rated the system in such positive terms.
The new polling also shows that 80% of those with insurance rate their own coverage as good or excellent. That’s up from 70% in May.
Rasmussen notes a partisan split among the respondents, but it’s not as stark as one might imagine. Eighty-nine percent of Republicans think the health care they receive now is good or excellent and 69% of independents agree — as do 66% of Democrats. When asked to rate the overall system rather than just their own care, all of the three give lower favorable ratings, but both Republicans and independents have majorities rating it as good or excellent. Even though two-thirds of Democrats rate their own care as good or excellent, 71% of Democrats want to change the system, which hints that quality of care may not be their primary motivation.
Interestingly, the satisfaction with their own personal care doesn’t show much difference by income levels, either. Fifty-eight percent of those making under $20,000 a year think their care is good or excellent, which goes up to 72% for those making between $20K-$40K, and continues to escalate through the various income levels. If 58% of the lowest-income Americans think they get good or excellent health care, why should we upend the entire system?
The Rasmussen poll may test the axiom that people don’t appreciate what they have until they lose it. We haven’t lost the medical system that generates such high favorability ratings, but we’re being threatened with its loss — and that has people reevaluating the system.
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ObamaCare is DEAD. Won’t pass. Won’t pass. Won’t pass.
Obama never breaks 55% after this cluster settles.
battleoflepanto1571 on August 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Better the Devil you know…..
OldEnglish on August 3, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Everything is relative.
People may not like all the components of their current HC coverage, but compared to digging your own grave and being shot in the head as exists in the OgabePlan, things suddenly seem pretty good.
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
I guess “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” isn’t always true.
forest on August 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
We need freedom of choice!
These are our bodies and the government needs to stay out.
A person’s health choices should be between him/her and their doctor.
Where have I heard this before? Heh.
perroviejo on August 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
waterloo.
weewilly on August 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Can you hear it? It’s the “Sleeping Giant” awakening. The American people are waking up to you, Barry.
kingsjester on August 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
The actual delivery of health care shouldn’t be in question at all. We have the best in the world. The big issue is paying for it. Common sense and free market put back into the system (Medicare, VA, Medicaid are all socialist schemes)would help reduce costs and drive down prices. My only government intervention would be to help those of us to buy insurance by allowing purchasing across state lines or through groups, not necessarily employers such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks, and many others.
hip shot on August 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
To bad there isn’t a poll among the soon to be killed under Obama care and the soon to be healed under our current system.
fourdeucer on August 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Bingo!
But, the liberal Democrats just want to punish those evil capitalistic insurance companies that operate to sustain a profit for their investors and shareholders—a totally novel concept to those who think the government can do a better job.
Rovin on August 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
All us “little people” out here are having an effect! We’ve got to make sure we keep up the pressure to kill Obamacare and Cap&Tax. And any other socialist, Big Brother policies these corrupt politicians come up with.
Christian Conservative on August 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
They are still in a minority
liberal343 on August 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Won’t they be surprised if OgabeCare were to happen.
“But I don’t want to be euthanized, I supported you!”
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Is there a light at the end of this horrible tunnel?
cmsinaz on August 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
time to drop medicare. Government can’t run healthcare
liberal343 on August 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
A sneak peek at what’s coming soon if these idiots have their way. Brought to you by the ACLU. Interesting how this Obama administration is uniting this country – just not in the way they anticipated.
gatorboy on August 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
So when the numbers hit 50.1% you will accept that a majority of Americans don’t want OgabeCare and we should scrap it.
You might as well climb on now, that number will happen soon. Welcome aboard!
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Just wrote Senator McCaskill. Sent her the video linked here where Barry says that his healthcare plan will eliminate private carriers. I asked her as a supporter of the president to pls. explain this? Told her that she could probably kiss re-election goodbye if she votes for this or cap and tax, b/c any tax increase will be a death knell for all incumbents who vote for it!
JAM on August 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I hope you’re right, but I think you’re underestimating the options available to a Chicago mob boss when he’s president.
Daggett on August 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
“But I don’t want to be euthanized, I supported you!”
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
In that case maybe we could make an exception.
fourdeucer on August 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
The grass is always greener, until you actually look over the fence and see the weeds.
Vashta.Nerada on August 3, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Agreed. We might as well drop social security too, seeing as Medicare and SS will be in a 750 billion dollar hole in ten years.
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
sounds good to me – medicare is running a deficit this year in excess of $300 billion.
Vashta.Nerada on August 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Yes.
Count to 10 on August 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
OT. Gibbs giving press conference now and blaming economic woes on eight years of failed Bush policies that robbed the middle class.
Looks like polling numbers say the middle class is beginning to turn on the Chicago thug in the White House.
You can read these people like a book.
fogw on August 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
..have you noticed that his Rasmussen is back down to -6% and he has a favorable of 51%-48% in the daily tracking? Not being a muckraker here, but just wanted to point out it he has been out of the limelight and kept his big bazoo shut since the “beer summit”.
Out of sight, out of mind?
..there’s also an analysis out that says the stock market rallies when his negatives increase. (Google it.)
VoyskaPVO on August 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
While we are at it lets also drop the government run military health care. Its about time we outsourced it to a private company
liberal343 on August 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I’m working on the assumption that neither will exist when I retire.
Count to 10 on August 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
that is what I fear most….he has that ‘I won’ attitude and will do everything in his power to destroy this great nation
cmsinaz on August 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Notice how our wonderful Liberal Democratic government works. Industries which fail miserably (for example, GM) are enriched and bailed out, while industries which basically work well and have broad public acceptance (health insurance) are targeted for elimination. Reward failure and punish success.
jwolf on August 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM
That might bear looking into, though it must be kept in mind that military service entails risks of bodily harm and specialized medical treatment requirements.
Count to 10 on August 3, 2009 at 1:36 PM
higher premiums, higher taxes, higher deficits, just as many people going to emergency rooms for treatment since there will be waiting lists for doctors, and less innovation and progress in health care. If this monster will pass, may it be with ZERO GOP votes.
rob verdi on August 3, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Why is AnninCA so quiet? She loves healthcare posts.
portlandon on August 3, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Obama is either evil, stupid or both.
Why would Obama want to harm America? Because he and Rev Wright see America as an unfair unjust country.
It’s by design what is going on. Obama just thinks you won’t care, or find out.
tarpon on August 3, 2009 at 1:40 PM
As I veteran who has had to use military health facilities both in and out of the service, I say fine but only beyond shipboard or battlefield care. Obviously you have no idea how much it costs to retain top surgeons in the military.
Bishop on August 3, 2009 at 1:40 PM
taught in govn’t schools at the earliest age. We shouldn’t be surprised to see this liberal approach to govn’t as well.
gatorboy on August 3, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Heh. Slap!
a capella on August 3, 2009 at 1:41 PM
You can’t comment on things you haven’t experienced liberal343 remember?
portlandon on August 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
wouldn’t be too worried….
today is MONDAY, hence, the overnights came from SUNDAY
what kind of people are away from home sunday morning and/or sunday night?
(I’ll take “most reliably anti-Obama” for $500, alex)
battleoflepanto1571 on August 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Bait and switch. You should come in out of the rain. Your hat is getting rusty.
davidk on August 3, 2009 at 1:50 PM
If you think Cash for Clunkers ran out of money fast just wait until Obambicare does.
Keep that CPR going on Mr. Public until San Fran Nan can find another chump to tax or a contributor who might his liver. And don’t bleed on the floor either. It’s against regulations. It says so right on the back of the form. Seems you’ve bled on your form. It’s against regulations. You’ll need to fill out another one and don’t bleed on that one. You’ll also need to go to the back of the line again. Out the door, to the left and five blocks east. If you take a cab that may get you to the back of the line easier. Oh, and here’s a free Obama campaign button for your understanding. Buh-bye!!
viking01 on August 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Rush reporting that Ogabe threw Turbo Timmy and Sumners under the bus regarding tax increases for the middle class. He says their comments were aimed at reassuring the Chicoms their money is safe. Sounds about right.
a capella on August 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I don’t want gov run healthcare either; however, as a self-employed small business owner, I am finding it increasingly difficult to retain my health insurance. Last year, my monthly premium was $430. This year, it rose to $550/month. I am turning 51 this year, but did not put in any claims last year. My fiance has lost his job and its getting down to making choices about what to slash in our budget. Getting more and more tempting to dump the health insurance. Yet, if I do dump it and something happens to me healthwise, I lose everything.
I commented on another post here at HA the other day, and got treated like a troll; accused of wanting things for free, despite me stating over and over that I didn’t want gov run health program and that I’ve never taken a dime from the govt in the 30 years I’ve been in this country – I would be ashamed. Its not the way I was raised.
My point is this: I think its unrealistic to expect people to pay such high premiums for health insurance, and its not fair to be told that a health insurance co. won’t pay for a pre-existing condition until you have been enrolled with them for 60 months. Our current system is flawed. I think conservatives/libertarians/republicans – anyone opposed to gov’t run healthcare – needs to examine that and be really honest; don’t just say you dont want gov run healthcare and that everything is peachy the way it is – because it isn’t! We need to look at why it is flawed; why its not affordable for many people. Sure, you love your health insurance if your employer provides it as compensation, but for many people who are either self-employed or work at a company that doesn’t provide it, its simply unaffordable (buy food/pay bills or buy health insuranc? hmm)
How about first we get the illegal aliens out of the country and stop giving them healthcare?
Back to the point – opposition to gov run healthcare needs to include admission that our health system as it is now is not working/affordable for many people, and offer ways to fix that. Perhaps if we did that, we would win over some of those liberal thinking folks to our side, instead of labeling them trolls and libtards.
fullogas on August 3, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Government officials keep saying that the current system is unsustainable. What they really mean is that medicaid and medicare are unsustainable, as they are running huge deficits. The ’solution’ they propose is to forcibly dump millions more people into a government plan, raising their taxes, and providing lesser care. It is a false choice, but financially it is clear that this is the motiviation, and the inevitable result will indeed be lesser care at a higher price for those on traditional plans.
Vashta.Nerada on August 3, 2009 at 2:14 PM
how is it that c. dodd will have surgery this month for prostate ca and hrc had immediate elbow surgery under such a terrible system. i wish them both the best but under the obama system we would wait and wait and wait for treatment
rjoco1 on August 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Well, I certainly hope all those straw men in your post will be covered by the proposed reforms.
For the record, I completely support the idea that reform is necessary. I’d love to see association plans able to form nationwide pools and compete across state lines. I’d love to see more independent nonprofit participation in insurance. Eliminate some of the ridiculous and completely artificial barriers to cost-reducing competition. I’m not thrilled about an individual mandate, but I think it’s a fair trade for reform of pre-existing conditions (in fact you don’t want the latter without the former, or people will just sign up once they’ve been diagnosed!).
If you were paying attention at all around here I think you’d find that the people registering a desire for some change or another (tort reform, interstate competition, etc.) far outnumber the people supporting the status quo (if you can even point to anyone doing the latter).
DrSteve on August 3, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I understand where you are coming from, but the reason that you are finding it unaffordable is because of the current government run programs. Your costs are increasing because the government programs are underpaying, so medical establishments are using you to subsidize those on the government programs. If we cancel the government programs, your costs would decrease.
Vashta.Nerada on August 3, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Rather than an American version of National Health, two options:
1) Tort reform will lower health costs for everyone. Obama won’t touch this issue because he’s bought and paid for by trial lawyers who are the only ones happy about the unbelievable cost of malpractice insurance and king’s ransom mega-million-dollar malpractice settlements.
2) Affordable catastrophic health insurance that allows people to opt out of regular small-scale health insurance but be covered for larger-cost medical events. Tax breaks for insurers who provide such a product.
Edouard on August 3, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Maybe people are starting to think about the repercussions of all this craziness.
Terrye on August 3, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Lord of the Flyswatters has a solution for this economic dilemma.
George Orwell on August 3, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I never really appreciated the American health care system until I became raped by socialized medicine. (VA) I am a combat veteran and will never again use government provided health care.
Tort reform is the answer. The costs of health care will diminish almost overnight as soon as it becomes unprofitable to be dishonest and/or greedy.
Mr. Grump on August 3, 2009 at 2:29 PM
You can Google “Paul Ryan” and “Health Care Reform” for exactly what you’re asking for. The alternatives are out there and with the Internet you have no excuse to be uninformed. The simple fact is that the MSM has no interest in exploring alternatives to ObamaCare.
PackerBronco on August 3, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Well, I certainly hope all those straw men in your post will be covered by the proposed reforms.
DrSteve on August 3, 2009 at 2:16 PM
How else am I supposed to make my point? If I am going through this, surely there are others? I can’t be the only one?
fullogas on August 3, 2009 at 2:42 PM
As I labored to point out, mine is not an opposing view. What I objected to was the inaccuracy of your post. Every health care topic around this site gets dozens of non-trolls talking about concrete, substantial opportunities for reform. You chose instead to adopt the President’s view, which is that anyone who doesn’t want his approach must stand foursquare for the status quo.
DrSteve on August 3, 2009 at 2:49 PM
If only I had a glimmer of a reason to believe Obama was a populist. I suspect he’ll gladly serve one term if that’s the cost to be paid for scorching America’s earth. One would have an easier time finding Parisians with a favorable view of this country than members of the Obama administration.
Blacklake on August 3, 2009 at 3:02 PM
As I labored to point out, mine is not an opposing view. What I objected to was the inaccuracy of your post. Every health care topic around this site gets dozens of non-trolls talking about concrete, substantial opportunities for reform. You chose instead to adopt the President’s view, which is that anyone who doesn’t want his approach must stand foursquare for the status quo.
DrSteve on August 3, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Don’t put words in my mouth. Do not dare to say I have adopted the president’s view. I do not agree with him on anything.
fullogas on August 3, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Yep. I’d even be interested in the implications of simply capping the maximum number of dollars a lawyer could claim from a malpractice and/or class action settlement, and not even touch the total amount awardable. If a person is a genuine victim of debilitating malpractice, I’m all for him being compensated in the millions. But when the John Edwardses of the world can’t expect to clear more than, say $250k no matter how big their clients’ awards, I expect the lust for trolling will drop precipitously, and practitioners’ grueling insurance premiums will follow shortly.
Hell, I can even make a fairly libertarian argument for it, as those lawyers necessarily exploit government functions to make their money, which justifies their regulation. But why do I expect all the lawyers in congress would never consider this kind of idea?
Blacklake on August 3, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Vouchers…I support vouchers a way to give all children an opportunity to learn in quality schools, why can’t vouchers be used to give all families the opportunity to purchase quality health coverage?
Not obamacare, not the current employer-based nightmare, but a combination of vouchers and HSAs that require insurance carriers to compete and patients (and parents) to exercise personal responsibility. The very poor would still end up with something roughly similar to Medicaid to cover their copays, but still, why not?
Sheena_is_a_Conservative_Now on August 3, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Either vouchers, or simple deregulation of the markets, anything that promotes competition is going to be better than the current system.
Sheena_is_a_Conservative_Now on August 3, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner folks.
lovedinthekeys on August 3, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Has a familiar ring.
DrSteve on August 3, 2009 at 3:49 PM
If Democrats are going to make Healthcare a right in this country,
Then I have the right to demand that the US Government not interfere with my healthcare plan, my insurance company, and my doctor.
TN Mom on August 3, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Now, if people would start taking their other freedoms as seriously ….
njcommuter on August 3, 2009 at 4:06 PM
And yet, if you woke up tomorrow and wanted a new car, or a new boat, you could find money for that likity split, without having to lose everything in the process. It’s amazing how much people can buy without needing insurance to fund the purchase, but when it comes to health care, they suddenly can’t find the money. Want to know why? Because they don’t want to pay for it.
By the way, no one is saying the system is perfect. There should changes made. But since most of the problems we have today are caused by government intervention, the last thing we need to do is add even more government intervention. The reform being talked about today has nothing to do with fixing the system, it has to do with putting government in charge of the system. And some people are ok with that because for some warped reason, they believe they aren’t supposed to pay for their health care. I suspect you’re one of them.
xblade on August 3, 2009 at 5:39 PM
I guess you haven’t been paying attention then, have you?
Utopia doesn’t exist. There is no system that works for every person. As many issues as the current system has, it’s better to maintain the status quo than to adopt obamacare.
xblade on August 3, 2009 at 5:51 PM
How? Money you don’t have is money you don’t have, wether you want to spend it on healthcare or a new car or an Xbox 360.
…or was that just a grade-school character insult?
Dark-Star on August 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Medicare is technically insolvent now, and getting worse all the time. So yes, Medicare is a perfect example of how incompetent the federal government is, and why it should not be permitted to run the health care system.
eyedoc on August 3, 2009 at 6:38 PM
And yet, if you woke up tomorrow and wanted a new car, or a new boat, you could find money for that likity split, without having to lose everything in the process. It’s amazing how much people can buy without needing insurance to fund the purchase, but when it comes to health care, they suddenly can’t find the money. Want to know why? Because they don’t want to pay for it.
By the way, no one is saying the system is perfect. There should changes made. But since most of the problems we have today are caused by government intervention, the last thing we need to do is add even more government intervention. The reform being talked about today has nothing to do with fixing the system, it has to do with putting government in charge of the system. And some people are ok with that because for some warped reason, they believe they aren’t supposed to pay for their health care. I suspect you’re one of them.
xblade on August 3, 2009 at 5:39 PM
FYI, I’ve been paying for my own health insurance for 5 years now, ever since leaving my job and starting my own business. As I have stated over and over here at HA, I don’t want “free” healthcare, because I know there is no such thing. I’m stating that it needs reform.
How presumptious of you to state that if I wanted a new boat or car tomorrow, I would find money for that. You know nothing about my lifestyle. Heck, I don’t even own a car right now. I’ve had many years in my life where I was raising children and had to make the decision to seek medical care, knowing that I didn’t have the money to pay – that it would have to come out of the grocery budget. All I’m saying is, medical care is not affordable for many (yep, there’s those strawmen again) I’ve been on both sides of this situation and feel empathy for those who aren’t receiving employer funded healthcaare.
fullogas on August 3, 2009 at 7:24 PM
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