Interesting Finds on Health Care in the LA Times Poll

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

This week the LA Times/Bloomberg poll was released, showing among other things that Americans are very deeply pessimistic about the economy. Perhaps because of this, the poll suggests Americans have begun to turn against the neoliberal economic agenda promoted for the last 30 years. Specifically, enormous majorities support higher taxes if it will pay for universal health care. From The Big Picture's summary (linked above):

-A majority of Americans say they would tolerate higher taxes -- if it paid for universal health care;

Universal Health Care
-60% said they would be willing to repeal tax cuts to help pay for a health-care program that insures all Americans;
-Most of the highest income group polled, those in households earning more than $100,000, support it.
-More than 80% of Democrats say they like the plan; most Republicans oppose it. -Independent voters also support universal health care;
-52% vs 36% favored health and education spending as a better economic stimulus than tax cuts.

This fits with other recent polls showing an increase in support for universal health care. It is worth noting that the language of "universal health care" is vague, and that there are any number of possible policies that could be considered under that umbrella (from a Clinton-style individual mandate to outright single-payer).

But what is significant about this poll is how progressive the public appears. Americans see right through the Republican "tax cut" ideology and prefer higher taxes to provide for a key social service. Further, they understand that universal health care and education spending are a far better economic stimulus than lower taxes. The entirety of economic policy in both California and the nation is predicated on the reverse.

As Atrios points out the main obstacle to universal health care in America isn't public opinion, but the lobbying money of the insurance industry. They present a formidable political obstacle. But polls like this show us that their obstacle can be overcome, if the public can be mobilized in favor of the right kind of solution.