New poll finds that public support for health care legislation ‘collapses’ if it doesn’t include a public option.
New poll finds that public support for health care legislation ‘collapses’ if it doesn’t include a public option.
Over the weekend, the White House signaled that it would accept health care reform legislation that lacked a public option, provoking an “outcry” from progressives. Now, a new Rasmussen poll finds that public support for reform legislation “collapses” if it doesn’t include a public plan:
Just 34% of voters nationwide support the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats if the so-called “public option” is removed. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 57% oppose the plan if it doesn’t include a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
It’s not just the public that would withdraw its support from health care legislation that lacks a public insurance plan. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) told CNBC recently that a Senate deal that cuts out the public option would potentially cost 100 votes in the House, because health reform without a public plan would be “essentially meaningless.”
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Public Option is an absolute!
Period.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:31 pmNew poll finds that public support for health care legislation ‘collapses’ if it doesn’t include a public option.
– - Now if we could only agree on what a public option entails.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:31 pmThe White House and the Dems will jettison the Public Option at their peril.
I have health insurance, but I want to see the Public Option for those who have lost theirs, either through lay-off or being dropped by the insurer.
There are no guarantees that I will not be dropped in the near future.
Screw the repiggies and the teabagger trash. Let’s get this thing done now.
Our nation will further decline with a sick, unhealthy population.
We need the Public Option for those who have been denied by the health insurance monopoly.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:32 pmI no longer trust polls. These lobby groups use mass emails using their clients’ identities, in my opinion. I followed the links on one of them and found myself in amazing websites. You can get anything on the web! So, polls are increasingly non-reliable, in my opinion.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:32 pmWaterloo.
Sorry, Mr. President, you awakened the sleeping giant by making promises. Best get the alligator azz going before your butterfly mouth gets gets buried.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pmAnthony Weiner / 2012
August 19th, 2009 at 2:33 pmPublic Option sucks – but since it’s all they’ve offered I guess it’ll do.
BUT they have to get their act together and do it. Without it there is NO reform, and they can forget about my support. I WILL stay home – I’ve done it once before.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:35 pm*
To think, President Obama is coming under more scrutiny and criticism for trying to enact health care for everyone while President Bush skated for years after forcing us into one unnecessary war and ignoring the war that needed to be fought.
Liberal media?
August 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pmI seen Rep. Weiner on Matthews show the other day and i could tell he was real close to saying he didnt care what the repugs had to say.
i just wish he did.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:37 pmWe – like half the Americans that already have health insurance – cannot afford to use it.
This has to happen now – there will never be a better chance.
If Obama had shown ANY commitment or passion for this along the way – it would have helped.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:37 pm*
As much as I want to see a reform package that includes a public plan, are we really reduced to relying on Rasmussen polling data? These people think McCain won last year’s election.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:37 pmDon’t get me wrong, I think the criticism and scrutiny is deserved, but before we start following the media’s lead as declaring this Obama’s waterloo, let’s not forget what the media allowed to happen just a few short years ago…
August 19th, 2009 at 2:38 pmI’m starting to wish that the Rethugs were still blocking HHS Secretary Sebilius’ nomination.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:38 pmIf the Dems drop the ball on this one, we can’t afford to just stay home.
We need to organize a Progressive Party, a party which isn’t afraid to confront the teabagger trash head-on, a party which isn’t afraid of offending the holy roller nincompoops and dingalings.
We need a Party that embraces the future, and that sees the need to change things for the better.
If the Dems wish to avail themselves of the historic opportunity to do something positive, they would deserve our support.
Time is running out for the Dems.
Screw the repiggies. They are hopeless idiots, crooks and racists.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:39 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
It makes you wonder who won the last election, doesn’t it?
August 19th, 2009 at 2:41 pm.
Dear President Obama,
Please don’t fail us.
XXOO
Your Base!
.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:42 pmLest we forget, Waterloo was the critical battle that decided whether Napoleon’s dreams of conquest succeeded versus the continued development of European society without a dictator. The White Wings decision to call the public option is telling.
The success of dictatorship by corporate interests over the desire of the people. It really does come down to if the President sides with Napoleon or Wellington. So far, he has been playing nice with Napoleon. And the vast majority of America wants him to go Wellington.
It really is up to him.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:43 pmpaleolib says:
…are we really reduced to relying on Rasmussen polling data?…
Great point! One might as well quote a FOX “poll”.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pmExcellent article on repubicans becoming a cult.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pmEveryone seems able to spell “public option”, but no one knows what it means. Even William Grieder says the phrase in “meaningless”. A concise definition that could be discussed would be nice. At this moment, it sounds like an empty catch-phrase, without substance, used to distract people from the now-vacated notion of single payer.
But perhaps this is the new American way? When faced with an issue that requires thought and discussion, we simply ask, “What would Jesus do?” And then we go out merry way. Sad.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pm.
Dear President Obama,
No “Public Option”?
Why does my uninsured grandma deserve to die?
.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pmRepubs have played out their hands. Many of them are saying they can’t even support a co-op.
Time to forget them and steamroll a robust pubic option through the House and then convince 50 Senators with Biden being the deciding vote.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pmDallasNE- The Republicans ALWAYS win the election…especially when they lose, because they bully the Democrats into giving them all the things they really want, like big government subsidies for insurance companies, while blaming the Democrats for doing their dirty work. Republicans never lose…and Democrats are AFRAID to win.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:45 pmIf a healthcare plan sans public option doesn’t pass this term, I’m leaving the Democratic party (again) and voting independent/green/socialist in 2010. Who’s with me?
August 19th, 2009 at 2:45 pmMax, if your Grandmother is 65 or older, she is insured through Medicare, a classic single-payer plan that should be extended to the entire population.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pmbecoming?
hell, they’ve been a cult operation since 1980.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pmTaylor Doose says:
so question same question Rep. Frank asked>>>>> what planet do you spend most of your time on?
and are you a end table or just a chair
August 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pmHR 676 or bust.
Medicare for everyone.
If we can fund indeterminate wars with no function, we can take care of our own citizens.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pmEnnuiDivine: “If a healthcare plan sans public option doesn’t pass this term, I’m leaving the Democratic party (again) and voting independent/green/socialist in 2010. Who’s with me?”
Kind of like how you rejected a Dem named Al Gore because he wasn’t perfect and got the worst Pres in history for your efforts? There are a million dead Iraqis who I’m guessing would like to discuss that decision with you.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:49 pmHoodathunk at 29, you are so correct.
Where were all these “fiscal conservatives” during the Iraq crap? Where were all those teabaggers and assorted kooks while trillions were thrown down the Iraq War craphole?
Screw the repiggies, and screw the teabagger trash. They are all lunatics, liars and crooks.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pmhivanh, a public option would be paying into an insurance plan administered by the government. Grieder is being obtuse here because he wants politicians to just come out and say that this is a form of single-payer.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pmNo more polls.
The people of the United States voted for universal healthcare
August 19th, 2009 at 2:55 pmlast November.
The best way to fund public health care is to bring all the troops home. After 6+ years, we are no closer to shutting down the ‘terrorist menace’ and we are going broke.
Call it isolationism but lets get our country back in shape before we worry about anything else.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:58 pmevangenital: “Where were all these “fiscal conservatives” during the Iraq crap? Where were all those teabaggers and assorted kooks while trillions were thrown down the Iraq War craphole?”
What did we get for that trillion dollars?
Gore might have spent a good deal of that money on health care, but lefties didn’t like him because he wasn’t liberal enough or something. So they left the Dems and voted for Nader. Now, they’re talking about leaving the party again this year. Unbelievable.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pmSeems odd to me that you want now to turn your back on the only people who have tried to further the discussion on health care.
You act like they are responsible if it fails for just trying to get it moving in our direction.
I’m sorry, I can’t follow your advice now any more than I could have in 2000.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm…I’m 22 years old. While I would’ve liked to have voted for Gore in 2000, I was 14. Damn that pesky 26th amendment.
I was a registered Dem until the primary season ended last year, disgusted with the cannibalism in the party. I re-registered so I could vote against Corzine in the NJ primary. And will un-register myself again if the Dems can’t pass meaningful healthcare reform.
Point your rage elsewhere.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm“Everyone seems able to spell “public option”, but no one knows what it means. Even William Grieder says the phrase in “meaningless”.
I agree with you there
- author
August 19th, 2009 at 3:01 pmyou should trust us older guys, ennui, and stick to the team, even if it doesn’t always work the way we want it to.
or you can let history be your cruel teacher, and come to your senses in your 40’s.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:02 pmand then there’s this one…
i watched todd explain the latest NBC poll and a mumbled excuse
as to a claim of changed words that skewed the results…
seemed innocuous at the time, last night…
heard it mentioned on stephanie this morning and was reminded
just now to look it up at MediaMatters…
how can they even call it a comparison?
Health Care For America Now (HCAN) argues that a change in the NBC/Wall Street Journal’s wording of a key poll question about health care reform produces skewed results.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pmhttp://mediamatters.org/blog/200908180043
The Republican half of the bipartisan team of pollsters behind a new, controversial poll on health care has longstanding ties to the health insurance industry that critics say biased the results.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/19/pollster-behind-controver_n_263057.html
So in other words, 76% to 80% of Americans still favor a “public option.” These repugs and conservatives are the bane of America. In reading the above HP article, they took the word “choice” out of their recent poll to skew the results in favor of the GOP and private industry against “public option.”
All lies!!
August 19th, 2009 at 3:04 pmDems, Greens and Independents all need to form a strong coalition to beat back the repiggie beast.
Do you want an impoverished society, full of sick and ailing people with no hope, dominated by an evangelical Sharia?
August 19th, 2009 at 3:05 pmoh wow, bzb (love that)… the plot thickens…
these liars and cheats are so ugly…
August 19th, 2009 at 3:07 pmKeep in mind, by expanding Medicare we would actually be making it more monetarily solvent because there would be a bigger pool of younger, healthier recipients paying premiums.
The pundits advocating for expanded health care need to start explaining this.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:08 pmIt’s a matter of geographical placement, really. I’m from New Jersey…at the federal level, I can vote indy/green/socialist for president (NJ hasn’t gone GOP since Bush in 88) or senator (hasn’t had a GOP senator since 82).
If I were living in VA/NC/CO et.al, I’d vote for the party to bolster chances of a victory.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:10 pmEnnuiDevine: “Point your rage elsewhere.”
Nope. It’s the same thing: rejecting the imperfect in search of the perfect, and getting the horrible. It may be hard, because of many complex structural issues, to get universal healthcare with Democrats, but it’s absolutely impossible with Republicans. At this time, on a federal level, if you go with the Green Party, the republican wins. That’s why conservatives are some of the largest contributors to the Green Party. This isn’t Europe. Third parties don’t form coalitions here like they do in Western Europe. There is no way other than building from the ground up, another party and no third party is ready yet to get anything done on a national level. As a long-time dedicated liberal, I’ve come to terms with this. It’s called “reality.”
August 19th, 2009 at 3:12 pmGranted, it’s a Rasmussen poll, but look to Faux News to report:
Just 34% of voters nationwide support the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 57% oppose a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:13 pmWhy isn’t Congress representing the people’s will?
Oh, right. Corporate donations to campaign coffers take precedence over their sworn oaths of office.
Silly me.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:14 pmThere are 65 democrats in the house who remember who voted them into office and they deserve some praise.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:19 pmEnnui keep thinking for yourself . The democrats had better remember the progressives or they will become as relevant to politics as the republicans have made themselves .
uh oh, the republicans won’t pass this…..
August 19th, 2009 at 3:20 pmdoh.
Git out the way gnopers and blue doggies; we’ll git ‘er done with or without you; if not now, then later.
The people spoke in Nov and they haven’t left the country.
Congress represents the American People HOW?
Oh, forgot, they are representing Corporations that donate to them…
…forgot about that part…
…it is so very important to make sure those CEO’s get those huge checks…
…how are the little people to get their ‘Trickle Down’ otherwise…
…scum bags.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:20 pmSo much fun watching the far left nuts get aggravated!!
August 19th, 2009 at 3:21 pmLiving in Minnesota, I have that same privilege, EnnuiDivine. It’s a dead-solid lock that a Dem will win for the Presidency so I’ve indulged in a few “protest votes” myself. In 2000 I wrote in “No” for President. It made me feel better and didn’t make the slightest difference in the election.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:22 pmA super majority and a democratic president means NO POLITCAL COVER !
August 19th, 2009 at 3:25 pmhuffpo has article on this also.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:27 pm53 – um, mr. johnson – i think it’s the deathbaggers exhibiting all the aggravation these days.
unless of course you’re talking about the posters’ here being aggravated by guh-hurmphing yokelberry mouthbreathers who pollute the discussion with crazy-talk. but that’s really just as entertaining as it is aggravating.
laughing at you guys is some of the best fun we have.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:28 pmvoila, the reason bush and the republicans get credit for the Iraq debacle and the economy tanking.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pmI might add that I haven’t voted for a Republican, at any level, since 2000. And I won’t in the foreseeable future. And it really has nothing to do with politics.
I have concluded it’s impossible for a sane person to continue identifying with the freak show that is the GOP Today. So, by definition, a GOoPer is incapable of making rational decisions.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:31 pm“New poll finds that public support for health care legislation ‘collapses’ if it doesn’t include a public option.”
ratings for Obama will also collapse if he does not regain his strength and support on this matter.
Thank you to Pelosi and the House for their undying support on public health.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:31 pmFreeman: “Ennui keep thinking for yourself .”
See EnnuiDevine – the most moronic right-wing troll on this board agrees with your plan of action. That should speak volumes to you. And, please try to understand that I’m on your side.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:31 pmfreeman says:
“A super majority and a democratic president means NO POLITCAL COVER !”
That’s certainly true for people who have a shallow understanding of how our government actually works.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pmNiner ,
August 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pmso in other words you will support the democrats no matter what they do . Indefinite detention , signing statements , rendition , domestic spying , the loss of posse comitatus , expanding wars , permanent occupation of Iraq ,government secrecy and all ?
59 pete,
will there be any republicans left to vote for?
August 19th, 2009 at 3:34 pmYes but they will all be the Lieberman / Specter variety .
August 19th, 2009 at 3:39 pmhad enough says:
59 pete,
will there be any republicans left to vote for?
Not that I can see.
I suppose it’s possible that rational, moderate, pragmatists might reclaim the brand but I don’t see anyone stepping up to chart that course. I think it’s more likely that the nuts who have control will continue to “purify” the party until they become irrelevant.
It’s hard to say, since we haven’t seen the death of a party in our lives, but I can’t see how the GOP can survive with ANY of it’s current “leaders” in play.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:46 pmFreeman: “Niner ,
so in other words you will support the democrats no matter what they do .”
No, not exactly. I have always used the primaries to express my opinion that the party should move left. But when I have a choice between a Dem and a Repub, I have never voted for the Repub because the Repub was always worse than the worst Democrat. They fought Social Security, public libraries, Medicare, Medicaid and even interstate highway funding. In the 60’s they implemented their long-running “Southern strategy” and have become the defacto party of racism. There is not one Repub left in public office that I don’t think is a charlatan. This was not always the case. There used to be honorable Republicans before the “Southern Strategy.”
I will never vote for a Republican, period. Democrats, even though they are a frustrating party, better represent what I want.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:47 pmbla bla bla;
August 19th, 2009 at 3:50 pmthe secret’s out; those who oppose reform will get snared in their own trap.
this article has to be the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Of course it collapses without the public option. The right doesn’t want it in any form, and the left wants the public option. Take out the public option and a large part of the left also doesn’t support it, therefore it falls flat. This doesn’t mean that the general public wants the public option…it just means that the left wants it…which we already knew!!!
August 19th, 2009 at 3:51 pmNinerFan,
I used to have the pleasure of voting for some fine Republicans at the state level but, no more. Once they started packing Congress with freaks like Inhofe and Bachmann (InsaneR-Mn), not to mention electing the Worst President Ever, they lost me for good.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:53 pmPete I think we have just seen that very thing occur ! Now all that remains to be seen is if the democrats can avoid the same fate !
August 19th, 2009 at 3:54 pmThe government is owned by large corporate interests but somehow thats alright to the moderates here who are willing to go along with anything the party tells them .
And you thought the right had a monopoly on 20%ers .
While I agree with that niner may I suggest that it does no one any good to assure the democrats that they can take anyones vote for granted !
August 19th, 2009 at 3:56 pma clear majority of Americans want reform, and public coverage. if they didn’t, McCain would be President now, and he’s not.
anti-democratic special inerests want reform scuttled, and some dumb people are sucker enough to stick up for them.
“the right” is a MUCH smaller thing than it would have us believe.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:07 pmBlue dogs and conservative democrats ARE the problem , as are people who will support party over principle in all instances !
August 19th, 2009 at 4:07 pmI am a progressive , to the left of the president and ignoring my ilk is done at great peril to the democrats continued dominance whatever bogus labels and names you throw at me .
Look freeman, you have made pathetic political choices and look where you are. Why would we need your advice?
August 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pmDon’t you get tired of mis characterizing me Fred ? You are a moderate I can accept that without calling you names or misrepresenting your position .
August 19th, 2009 at 4:18 pmOh yeah, you are a troll who pretends to be many other things.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pmaaronk: “This doesn’t mean that the general public wants the public option…it just means that the left wants it…which we already knew!!!”
Again, just two weeks ago a huge (large sampling) CBS/New York Times poll showed that 66% of the public wanted a public option in the final bill. And, in the same poll, 65% of respondents thought it was a good idea to raise taxes on the wealthy if needed to achieve universal coverage.
I would caution people to look closely at polls on health care policy. The way they ask a given question is extremely important. For example, yesterday on CNN they said that support for a public option is much higher if they use the word “choice” in a question and lower if they frame the question as “competition with private insurers.” Plus, I think some of the organizations are asking obtuse, irrelevant questions that cloud the issue. For example, if someone says, “should we extend Medicare to those 50 and older,” 77% of the public say yes. That’s a simple question.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:25 pmAnyone who disagrees with your perspective is a troll Fred and subject to abuse .You have a hard time tolerating dissent .
August 19th, 2009 at 4:25 pmWhy is single payer off the table Fred , when a clear majority of American voters overwhelmingly support it ?
No, making divisive hate filled posts makes you a troll.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:31 pmWhile I’m sure there are some minor details here and there that could stand to have legislative fixes regardless of whether the overall system gets changed, health care reform that doesn’t include at least a public option just isn’t health care reform at all. It’s like trying to sell us a car without an engine.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:56 pmIf you look in a mirror I’m sure you’ll see something even dumber.
August 19th, 2009 at 5:14 pmMethinks it would lose Ron Wyden his seat in the senate, too.
August 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pmPoof
August 19th, 2009 at 6:41 pm