PPIC: Californians Want Health Care and Term Limits Reform, But Growing Pessimism on Economy Emerges

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The PPIC's latest statewide survey is out, and it reveals an electorate desiring action on health care and term limits reform, but skeptical of our state's financial future.

Prop 93, the term limits reform, has the backing of 47% of likely voters, with 38% opposed and 15% unsure. While this is below the coveted 50% threshold, when the specifics of the initiative are laid out to voters, an even more promising picture emerges. 67% of likely voters support the reduction of maximum time spent in the legislature from 14 years to 12 years, while 58% of voters (including 60% of Republicans), support allowing a legislator to serve a total of 12 years in both or either chamber. And while 66% of likely voters think term limits are a good thing, 69% agree that changes need to be made to the system.

On health care, the electorate is even more aligned with legislative leaders. As polls have demonstrated for years, an overwhelming majority (93%) of likely voters think the number of people without health insurance is a problem. And when specific reforms are outlined, 65% of likely voters support requiring residents to have health insurance with assistance for those with low-incomes, and 67% support requiring employers to help share in the costs of providing health care. Proposals to include a hospital fee are opposed by 58% of likely voters, but it is quite possible many in the electorate are simply unaware that legislative leaders, the Governor, and even the hospital industry support the inclusion of a hospital fee.

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