Poll Finds Americans Oppose Defunding Healthcare Law

By | January 25, 2011

  • January 26, 2011 at 10:23 am
    Porkulous says:
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    Hey, wouldn’t it be nice if Reuters/Kaiser Family disclosed who they surveyed? Another misleading article passed on to us by Reuters.

  • January 26, 2011 at 10:35 am
    Doubting Thomas says:
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    I would very much like to see how the questions were asked on the survey.

  • January 26, 2011 at 11:34 am
    Kitty says:
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    Must have been a poll of illegal aliens.

  • January 26, 2011 at 2:30 pm
    Charlie says:
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    My goodness–A Reuters article on a poll taken by George Kaiser and Harvard. Do you think it might be worth waiting for Gallop to run a poll–just to be on the safe side.

    I am surprised you folks at IJ would run something like this.

  • January 26, 2011 at 2:31 pm
    Sarah says:
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    Does Susan Heavey and Cynthia Osterman work for CNBC or CNN or maybe CBS. I think they are democrats for sure.

    What poll?…. Huh…. I hear crickets….

    This is a leftwing nut article, anyone who talks to anyone knows that the american people are upposed to the healthcare law and by far most want to not only defund but do away with it entirely.

    If you do not believe me, THERE WAS A REAL POLL DONE ON NOV 2ND 2010. The results were overwelmingly against the healthcare law!

    • January 26, 2011 at 3:49 pm
      Sarah is Palin says:
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      Sarah. Really. The results were not overwhelmingly against the healthcare law. It was 50%. But, 50% of whom? That is not known. It’s all in who you ask. The comfortably insured tend to side against the law. While those with nothing are for it. Sounds like you are doing well with your health insurance and have nothing to worry about. So, to heck with everyone else, right? Their all freeloaders anyway, right? If this thing is repealed or defunded, maybe we can just forget about the many who go into ERs uninsured and costu you and me money. Or, we won’t have to think about the poor sots who have to choose between a roof over their head and foof or necessary treatment for a health condition. Meanwhile, the cost of your cushy health insurance will continue to go up and up until your employers says enough. The cost of my plan did not go down this year. Did yours? Let’s just defund this thing and forget about it. Maybe it will just go away. It must be nice to be able to think that way.

  • January 26, 2011 at 2:46 pm
    Fred says:
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    Sarah, Maybe you only talk with the healty and wealthy. Next time you’re in Walmart, why not randomly ask the help what they think.

  • January 26, 2011 at 2:49 pm
    Tom says:
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    If you believe this, you will believe San Fran Nan’s delusion about repeal COSTING us $250 Billion dollars. Next, free healthcare saves money, reduces global warming, and restores home values. Do they really think we are that gullible (that was a rhetorical question).

    • January 26, 2011 at 4:09 pm
      CBO says:
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      Tom. The $250 billion is a fact. It’s from the Congressional Budget Office. I don’t know about the other garbage you state in your post. Gullible? Not sure. People usually tend to believe what they want to. I believe that there are alot of good uninsured people making tough choices in order to get access to the best healthcare in the world. I’ve seen it. It’s not right. I have a pretty serious condition that would put me in the poor house or worse if I was not one of the fortunate people (like you, probably) who have good coverage. Maybe we can be like Michelle Bachman and her ilk, and try to forget about the have-nots and just maybe, they will go away. Who are they going to hurt anyway? Their all illegal aliens, right? Let’s just believe that…wow, I feel better already.

      • January 27, 2011 at 9:48 am
        Sarah says:
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        CBO – I dont think you are the Congressional Budget Office.
        Here are some facts.

        Yesterday the CBO stated that the healthcare bill will not save us a dime, when you take into consideration the estimated $500 billion in cuts to medicare to pay for the 6 years of taxes for the 4 years of benefits.

        Also some bad budget information came out yesterday. 1.5 trillion dollar deficit spending by this administration this year alone! So I guess Obama wants to freeze this spending at these levels. LOL….

        WE ARE GOING BROKE!

  • January 26, 2011 at 2:57 pm
    Mike N says:
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    100% of people polled recently agree the Insurance Journal is positioning itself as a rag of a mouthpiece for the administration, as opposed to actually being a publication desigend to serve insurance professionals, which is seemingly its intended mission.

  • January 26, 2011 at 4:04 pm
    Sarah says:
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    Everyone seems to think this healthcare law will make insurance free for everyone. Currently it is free for a great number of employees who are employeed by employers competing to retain their good employees. Well with the unemployment rate at 9.4% and the mandate to purchase insurance and the reduced cost to employers to just cancel their current plan and let their employees purchase the subsidized rates by the federal Government. No one is going to get employer based insurance in the future. I hope it makes you liberals happy to pay for your insurance and have the IRS fine you if you dont buy it. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE FREE!

    • January 26, 2011 at 4:20 pm
      CBO says:
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      Sarah. Your logic or is it lack of factual information baffles me. Who are the great number of employees who get free insurance from their employers? You have got to be kidding. I have been paying my share of my health insurance premium since I have been working full time (over 25 years) for a number of employers who are NOT the government. I don’t remember anyone on these posts saying they assume it’s all going to be free. Never heard it. Never heard the backers of the bill saying it was going to be free either. The more people who pay into the system the cheaper it would be. Do you think the inter-city hospitals bearing the burden of the uninsured flooding their ERs is a good thing for the overall system? No one is going to get employer based healthcare ever again? Really? If you would check the law, you will see that private insurance is a very key part of the proposed law. I have not heard the private insurers crying over a lack of business in the future because of this law. Tell us some more stuff that nobody else knows but you. I’m fascinated by your various rantings.

      • January 27, 2011 at 9:42 am
        Sarah says:
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        I work for a small town insurance agency with 13 employees, we get our health insurance paid in full 100% and have for the last 15 years. We also have a 401K retirement plan. My husband works for the hospital 3500 employees, He has a 403B retirement plan and full health insurance benefits. Almost every friend I have who works at a professional job has their coverage either paid by their employer or subsidized greatly.

        Due to the downturn in the economy and high demand for employment you are going to see employers stop offering benefits to attract employees. It just makes since due the fact they do not have to offer these benefits to attract desparate employees looking for work. Couple that with Obama’s government subsidized health plan and we all know they want a single payer system. Comon” get your head out of your rear, This health plan is going to cost us all alot in benefits and premiums, thats if you earn a decent living and pay your “fair share”, (a little redistributive term) I guess some of you would also call this expense an “investment” LOL….

        • January 27, 2011 at 1:08 pm
          Underwriter says:
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          You said two key phrases here – I work for a small town insurance company… My husband works for the hospital. Possibly a company that carries health insurance lines for sale. That is very likely the source of a 100% subsidized insurance plan. And the hospital? Nuff said.

          I work for a nicely sized regional carrier with a great plan – my autistic child would bankrupt us w/o the coverage we have now – but my colleagues and I have seen an average 14 – 18% annual increase in our insurance rates for each of the last 5 years. How does that square with a rate of inflation of under 4% each year for the same amount of time. You simply can’t have this inequity in costs versus revenues for insurance carriers for the vast majority of us who don’t have your very privileged position of free coverage (from the employee point of view.) There are WAY too many examples of what laisse faire economic policies have done to hurt our current economy (mortgage back security swaps, foreclosure gate, multi-million $$ bonuses to a banking industry that creates value from illusory financial products) and we’re all paying the price. As a general principal, I do feel that gov’t shouldn’t be the first provider of a solution for market factors. But when an industry shows that it can’t play nicely with others, and the level of collusion prevents new markets from joining the game to provide cheaper rates with competitve coverage, then someone has to step in to protect the American people. And so far the other side has produced very little substance in their ideas to solve this crisis.

  • January 26, 2011 at 5:48 pm
    Inthemiddle57 says:
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    Many people like new rules for health insurance companies such has ending pre-existing conditions, forcing insurers to spend a certain amount on medical care, tax credits for small businesses, and cheaper medicines for Medicare patients. People do not like being forced to buy coverage. As insurance people we know it is best to spread the risk using a large pool. I am underwriter and I would not want to be stuck with all the high risk exposures either.

    As a middle class parent sending a good kid off to college, I like being able to keep my kid covered until age 26 if needed. Even state schools cost an arm and a leg so it is hard to hold down student loans. If the job market is still tough when he gets out, we can help with health insurance while he looks for a job and pays down loans.

    • January 27, 2011 at 10:11 am
      Jim says:
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      It is not about what we like anymore, it is about what we can afford! I would like a new Ferrari, but I cannot afford it.

      It is not just about insurance, its also about reducing cost of healthcare and insurance reform. Reduce the fees doctors can charge, Reduce the amount of drug cost, Let us buy insurance across state lines, get rid of preexisting conditions. Let us take our insurance with us when we leave our employment at the same rate. No more Cobra at a 300% rate increase. There are alot of things that should change

  • January 26, 2011 at 5:55 pm
    Observer says:
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    This poll is highly suspicious. Every poll I have seen is in favor of repeal. Perhaps the poll was taken in the Blue States instead of us fly over Red States. While it is unlikely the law will be repealed, it could easily be defunded or shorn from all the really bad stuff that is in it.

  • January 26, 2011 at 6:09 pm
    Inthemiddle57 says:
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    The tax credits for small businesses should not be overlooked. I am with a carrier and one of our competitors jumped on the fact that New York observed a 53 percent increase in lending to small businesses in October and November of 2010(2) after Congress approved a two-year refinancing period for small businesses and increased funds for micro-lenders. So they are launching new products. There are some people that see benefits in some of the provisions that could be good for business. The bad provisions should be weeded out. Healthcare reform is needed, we should through the baby out with the bath water.

  • January 27, 2011 at 11:56 am
    Why Bother says:
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    I love it!! Republicans are going to “try and disrupt the flow of money needed to implement the law”. These must be the same kids who stole the kickball when I was in elementary school recess because they were too upset that they did not get picked to be on a kickball team!! I bet they don’t even care who/what they will hurt during their “disruption” as long as they are able to “disrupt”. Childish antics in an adult political world is what we have come down to….really! This has got to be the best solution for solving problems I have ever heard of!!! And for those of you who think I am some left wing nut….you would be incorrect!!

  • January 27, 2011 at 2:15 pm
    Mark says:
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    I am a fiscal conservative who has had a steady job since I started washing dishes at a restaurant when I was 15 years old. In my 30 year employment history, working for a litany of small businesses, only ONCE was my health insurance covered in full by my employer.

    Health Insurance premiums have been rising the whole time more recently at a double digit rate. It is disingenuous at best and dishonest at the worst to imply rate increases started because of Obama or this plan.

    Its time there was a real effort on both sides of the aisle to truly reform health care. The Obamacare bill is FAR from perfect but its a start. Work with what works-axe what does not. Is full repeal a cost effective solution after all the work put in-not in my opinion.

    It’s been said the rules are made by those that show up. The GOP did not show up for this debate but instead acted like a petulant child bent on getting their own way or none at all. Had the GOP been more focused on being a contributing player I have now doubt the bill would be better than it is today.

    One final question-the GOP continues to push “the buy across state lines thing” but yet PIA and many other groups representing independent agents are not in favor of this. Where are the other solutions and ideas to curb costs and make health care more efficient.

    • January 28, 2011 at 1:38 pm
      Sarah says:
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      Mark, The republicans were not invited in the debate in the smoke filled rooms in the middle of the night between Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried and the White house. The Republicans were not allowed to make ammendments to the law and to say the GOP did not show up is dishonest at best. That is what inflamed the Tea Party to the point that the November election was a blood bath for Democrats. The fact that PIA or any other agent associations are made up of insurance experts or lobbiest’s is not really a good example of what the association represents which are small business owners who happen to sell insurance and buy health insurance for their employees. I think the agency owners and small business owners would love to be able to buy insurance over state lines and obtain better coverage at a more affordable cost.

      repeal and replace this thing.

  • January 27, 2011 at 2:19 pm
    Sally says:
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    I am so tired of hearing about a poll! Being presented to validate a journalist position on a subject matter. How about journalist doing their job and just present statements of fact.

    Poll results are determined by two things, Who you ask and how you put the question. So do you think that a question about medicare presented to a bunch of teenagers would be the same as a group of retirees? No, I didnt think so. Or how about the way a question is asked? Well lets take healthcare. I could ask the same question in different ways. Are you in favor of reforming healthcare? Next question, Are you in favor of paying more for healthcare along with reform? Another question, Are you favor of getting less healthcare and higher taxes to pay for someone elses healthcare?

    Get my point? Polls are for journalist who do not do their homework and are looking to support an agenda.

  • January 27, 2011 at 2:30 pm
    Sam says:
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    Repeal and Replace with something much better and about 2000 pages lighter. Defund the whole government until they stop spending money we do not have. Just yesterday they came out with this years deficit estimate of 1.5 TRILLION! OMG, Can we all agree that this has to stop. Oh and this administrations view, Freeze spending at THESE LEVELS for 5 years. That should do it, Comon!



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