AMERICANS PREFER DEMOCRATS ON HEALTH CARE

From NPR:

Morning Edition, February 29, 2008 · A new poll on health care from NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health finds that a majority of Americans are backing key elements in the health reform proposals of Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The poll also found very strong support for doing something about the problem of 50 million Americans being uninsured — 93 percent call it a serious problem, with 74 percent saying it's a very serious problem.

You can find the full report here and this is the relevant excerpt:

4. Next, I’m going to read you a description of a plan to make sure everyone has health insurance, and then I’m going to ask you if you support or oppose this plan. This proposal would place requirements on individuals, employers, the government, and insurance companies so that everyone shares in the responsibility. Individuals who don’t already have insurance would be required to buy it or pay a fine, with financial help from the government for people with lower incomes. Employers would be required to cover their workers, or pay money into a pool that helps people buy insurance. Government health insurance programs would be expanded. Insurance plans would be required to take anyone who applies, even if they have a prior illness.

Would you support or oppose this kind of plan?

(INTERVIEWER NOTE: DO NOT PROBE ‘DON’T KNOW’ RESPONSES)
Based on one half of total (N = 851)
59% Support this kind of plan
33% Oppose this kind of plan
8% Don’t know
* Refused