Talking Points Memo – Poll: Public Split On Health Care, Heavily In Favor of Public Option

The new ABC/Washington Post poll finds Democrats in a tricky the public divided on health care reform as it now stands — but some internal numbers find potential for Democrats to break through, with no clear Republican alternatives in sight.

The poll found 48% of respondents in favor, and 49% against, the health care proposals current being developed by Congress and the Obama administration. In addition, opponents were more intense, with 39% strongly against and 10% only somewhat against, compared to 30% strongly in favor and 18% somewhat in favor.

A key number is on support for the public option. The poll found that 53% are in favor and 43% against. When those who were initially against it or were undecided were then asked about a more limited option that would only be available to people who currently don’t have insurance — that is, a description of the public option that was passed in the House bill — 40% of them then approved. This caused the total approval for a limited public option to rise up to 72%-28%.

Another question on the public option also found that 60% of people believe it’s at least somewhat likely that private insurance companies would go out of business if the public option is passed, due to an inability to compete with the government, to only 38% who don’t think it’s likely. It’s interesting to consider that number, compared to the public being in favor of the public option — mathematically, there is at least some overlap of people who think the insurance companies might go out of business, and that this would be a good thing.

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