Californians Want Major Change in Health Care and Favor Elements of Schwarzenegger and Democratic Plans

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Health Moves Up to Tie as Most Important Issue with Perennial Favorite Immigration

By Frank D. Russo

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released a new poll that shows that health care has catapulted into a virtual tie with immigration as the most important issue to likely California voters and that an overwhelming 69% of Californians and 72% of likely voters want "major change" in the health care system.

The 34 page survey, which can be read or downloaded directly from the PPIC was taken of 2003 California adult residents, a very large sampling between September 4 and 11, and has a margin of error of 2% as to Californians and 3% as to likely voters. This is a very large sample and the PPIC is highly respected. It includes many other issues and quesitons besides health which will be dealt with in separate articles.

When given a relatively short description of both the Schwarzenegger and Democratic health plans, there is support for both, but likely voters are split on the Democratic plan as described. There was no question about the single payer plan being advanced by Senator Sheila Kuehl.

The Most Important Issue in California

Immigration has long polled as the most important issue facing California. It still is the most important issue to all Californians by a margin of 18% to 14% over health care, followed by 13% for jobs and the economy and smaller percentages for education and housing. This is a much lower overall figure for immigration which has by a wide margin been the single largest issue identified in polls as the most important issue to Californians. When it comes to likely voters, immigration at 19% and health care at 18% are within the margin of error of the poll--statistically tied.

In fact immigration ranks third amongst California Democrats as the most important issue at 10% (compared with 21% of Democrats who identify health and 13% who indicate jobs and the economy) and 20% of the state's independent (decline to state and other party members) rank health as the single most important issue and drop immigration to a tie with jobs and the economy. The state's Republicans consider immigration as the most important issue by a 29% to 10% margin over health.

How Closely Are Californians Really Following the Health Care Proposals?