Big contradictions in new health poll, Majority opposed until they learn details

[cal04]

Newsweek: A majority of Americans are opposed to President Obama's plan to reform health care — until they learn the details of the proposal.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/233890

The Polling Contradiction
In the latest NEWSWEEK Poll, the majority of Americans are opposed to President Obama's health-care reform plan—until they learn the details. Plus, a look at very unhappy mood of the electorate.

As Democrats struggle to salvage health-care-reform legislation, a new NEWSWEEK Poll shows that while a majority of Americans say they oppose Obama's plan, a majority actually support the key features of the legislation. The findings support the notion that Democrats have not done a good job of selling the package and that opponents have been successful in framing the debate. The more people know about the legislation, the more likely they are to support major components of it.

When asked about Obama's plan (without being given any details about what the legislation includes), 49 percent opposed it and 40 percent were in favor. But after hearing key features of the legislation described, 48 percent supported the plan and 43 percent remained opposed.

The NEWSWEEK Poll asked respondents about eight health-care-reform provisions that Obama and many Democrats in Congress have generally supported. It found that the majority of Americans supported five of those provisions, three by particularly large margins. Eighty-one percent agreed with the creation of a new insurance marketplace, the exchange, for individual subscribers to compare plans and buy insurance at a competitive rate. Seventy-six percent thought health insurers should be required to cover anyone who applies, including those with preexisting conditions; and 75 percent agreed with requiring most businesses to offer health insurance to their employees, with incentives for small-business owners to do so.

[timeforpeace]

1. What a push poll. Didn't ask about mandates, lack of PO, monthly premiums. What BS.

[CTyankee]

6. That's because most people don't like mandates unless there is a public option

and an expansion of Medicaid to take care of people who don't make enough money to buy insurance or who can only afford to pay a lower rate on insurance. Those were included in the plans offered by all of the Democrats running for President in 2008.

Then it became evident that single payer was never even considered. Then the PO was taken away and the mandate still stood only people would be forced to deal with the same criminal enterprise that we call private health insurance companies that have been screwing people all these years. When expansion of Medicare was dangled before our eyes, people were overwhelmingly in favor.

One by one these important and VERY popular ideas got ripped out of the so-called "reform." No wonder nobody wanted it.

[FreakinDJ]

9. I call BS on that statement

They discussed fines which is what you are referring to by calling it a "mandate"

Not all Democrat positions received such high marks. Imposing a fine on individuals who do not buy health insurance was the least popular provision, supported by only 28 percent and opposed by 62 percent. Fifty-five percent opposed the so-called Cadillac tax on the most expensive health-insurance plans.

[tridim]

2. In other words, people approve Democratic policy and reject GOP spin.

Amazing. That's not what the media says.

[Jefferson23]

3. It's all about clarifying information through Obama, via his own website,

surrogates and on and on.

Obama was excellent at running a fight the smears presidential campaign, it was impressive. If he wants to, he can do the same for health care insurance reform.

[NC_Nurse]

4. It's not that the Dems haven't sold it. It's that the Repubs have been waging

an all out PR war that includes lies and fear in the form of "Big Govt takeover" and "death panels" and
"socialism". Booga booga. People have been scared off of what the Repubs call "obamacare" without
even knowing what it's really about.

[dkf]

5. The problem is when you add the mandate to all the good stuff

That is what kills it.

[State the Obvious]

7. Delete double post.....nt

[State the Obvious]

8. Republicans giving details to their base?...... Instant implosion!

I cannot imagine what it would be like to have a well-informed Republican base......who would be left for the leadership to manipulate?