Latest Field Poll Shows Sharp Jump in Support for “Government Provided Health Care” in California

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Sheila Kuehl
Chair
California Senate Health Committee

According to the new statewide poll by the Field Institute, released Monday, the number of Californians who would prefer to receive their health care coverage “through the government” has risen by 9 percentage points since the last poll in 2006, and now stands at 31%, while those who prefer that individuals take responsibility for their own coverage dropped 6 percentage points to 20%, and those preferring employer sponsored coverage declined 4 percentage points to 38%,. “Government provided health coverage” was the only policy option showing an increase in support.

Since 2002, universal health care advocates have rallied around Senate Bill 840, the California Universal Health Care Act which I am proud to have introduced. These advocates have formed the OneCareNow coalition, made up of hundreds of supporting organizations around the state. The coalition has prioritized community education about universal health care and sponsored hundreds of public educational events throughout the year.

This poll shows that the investment by single payer advocates in steady community organizing and education is paying off. These advocates, working under the radar of most politicos in Sacramento, have played a big part in the fact that people’s attitudes are changing very quickly and I think we’re closer than ever to universal health care in California.

The Field poll notes that, of all the major participants in last year’s health reform debate, Californians had far and away the most favorable view of the California Nurses Association, a lead proponent of single payer universal health care and SB 840 (Kuehl).

The Field poll also documents the dramatic unpopularity of health insurance companies with 55% of respondents having an unfavorable view of the role they played in last year’s debate.

The poll also found that 88% of Californians are concerned with rising out of pocket costs for health insurance coverage, and that 81% of Californians are concerned that they will not be able to pay for all the costs associated with a major illness or injury – even though a large majority of these respondents have some form of health insurance coverage.