Perino claims the public "rejected" the public option; polling shows otherwise
On Fox & Friends, Fox News contributor Dana Perino claimed that "the public itself rejected resoundedly [sic]" the inclusion of a public health insurance option in health care reform efforts. In fact, numerous polls taken in 2010 have found that a majority or plurality support the creation of a public option.
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Perino: "The public option is the thing that the public itself rejected"
From the February 22 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
PERINO: All year long, we talked about the public option. The public option is the thing that the public itself rejected resoundedly, which is why the Democrats are now coming up with this health care summit.
Polls show support for public option
Recent polls show majority support. Contrary to Perino's claim, numerous polls taken in 2010 have found that more Americans support a public option than oppose it, including some showing majority support:
- A February 17-18 Newsweek poll found that 50 percent of respondents supported "[c]reating a government-administered public health insurance option to compete with private plans," while 42 percent opposed it.
- A January 28-31 Ipsos/McClatchy poll found that 49 percent supported the "creation of a public entity to directly compete with existing health insurance companies," while 42 percent opposed it.
- A January 7-12 Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll found that 53 percent of respondents said they were more likely to support health care legislation if it "[c]reate[s] a government-administered public health insurance option to compete with private health insurance plans." Thirty-one percent of respondents said they would be less likely to support such legislation, while 13 percent said it made no difference.
- A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll, conducted January 8-10, found that "[f]ifty-four percent of people questioned ... support a government-run option, with 46 percent opposed."
To be a Republican these days...
Isn't that called 'Neverland?'
I still haven't made up my mind on the public option itself, and even if a slim majority do favor it - I think the problem is the rest of the crap in the bill turned everyone off to the thought of this particular congress (both parties) reforming health care at all.
Who is responsible for inaction? Inaction, too, is a choice, but to date few seem to comprehend that inaction is literally our worst choice. Those particularly aware are the self-employed in California who already knows that 30-40% per year increase is the result of inaction.
Do you even know what the Public Option provides?
It is amazing how much conservatives out right lie on national television. The misinformation and distortion of facts is bad enough, but to just blatantly tell a bold lie with a straight face happens more times than I would think the mainstream media would allow without getting all over these people.
I think if the cons block the health care reform bill, the Dems should just go ahead and put in a Public Option using reconciliation.
"Get the government out of my health care!!" screeched the woman on Medicare.
What does that mean, Americans think you can serperate the two ideas, a government run healthcare system and the public option. It says to me that at least 14 percent of those people polled(and most liberals) think you can have a public option not controlled by the government......obviously they are confused.
I say make tobacco companies foot the bill!!! :)
Every poll I've seen shows "massive support, massive support... don't like it." And, wow, look at that. It happens right about the time that the Public Option is gone, and private health care becomes mandatory.
A good course in statistics and polling would be helpful... I only had the one in college.
http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/healthplan.php
If Massachusetts was not a wake up call then election day in November is going to be a very sad day for the democrats.
It is my assertion you don't know.
Congratulations, Ms. Perino, you have resoundedly (sic) demonstrated your value in speaking rationally about anything.
If Dana Perino hadn't lied about what the polls showed, then MMFA wouldn't be saying word one about what the polls really show!
This isn't rocket science.
The only way someone can say "the public believes ..." is by actually measuring the public's opinion by polls. Perino said that the public believes something that's not in evidence by polls.
A universal system run through taxation and/or levies works quite well and people can get on with living their lives without getting tied up in the minutiae of shopping for commercial insurance that disappears as soon as you need it.
Rule number two - ensure universal access to and utilisation of primary healthcare. What's the old saying about "an ounce of prevention"?
Once the financial and administrative impediments are removed policy can properly focus on the delivery of health services to all of its people.
The rest of the world understands this. What's wrong with the conservatives in the US? Why do they deny the overwhelming evidence of the rest of the developed world?