National (US) Poll * November 1, 2007 * Government Should Make Sure Al - Quinnipiac University

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November 1, 2007 - Government Should Make Sure All Have Health Care, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; Sen. Clinton Seen As Leader On Health Issue

Word format By a 57 - 38 percent margin, American voters feel it is the government's responsibility to make sure everyone in the U.S. has adequate health care, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Voters also feel 60 - 33 percent that the government should provide health insurance for those who can't afford it.
Democrats say 84 - 13 percent that it's the government's job to assure health care for all, while Republicans oppose the notion 62 - 32 percent. Independent voters support the health care concept 54 - 41 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. On the health insurance question, Republican opposition drops to 53 - 41 percent.
Among all the Republican and Democratic candidates for president, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is placing the biggest emphasis on health care issues, 53 percent of American voters say. Next is former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, at 6 percent, followed by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama at 4 percent and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani at 2 percent.
While most Americans support a government role in providing adequate health care for all, 37 percent say they and their families get "excellent" care, with 48 percent who describe their care as "good."
"Should Washington be responsible for every American's health care? Two-to-one, Republicans say no. Six-to-one, Democrats say yes. Step down one from providing overall care and ask if Washington should provide health insurance for those that can't afford it. Republicans: No, by a bit. Democrats: Yes, by a lot," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"All the presidential candidates talk about health care. But Democrats and Republicans alike say Sen. Clinton is paying the most attention to the issue," Carroll added.
"Catastrophic-care insurance? That might be a starting point for consensus. Democrats favor it, of course, but most Republicans do, too."
The greatest support, 70 - 23 percent, is for the federal government to do more to help pay for catastrophic health care costs. Even Republicans support this idea 56 - 37 percent.
By a 53 - 41 percent margin, American voters say providing health insurance for those who don't have it is a more serious problem than keeping health care costs down.
But again, there is a strong partisan divide: Republicans say 60 - 33 percent that controlling costs is more important, as Democrats say 71 - 22 percent that providing insurance for the uninsured is more important. Independent voters say 53 - 42 percent that providing insurance is more important.
"Like apple pie and motherhood, health care is a feel-good term. The devil, as usual, is in the details. Republicans say keeping costs down matters the most. Democrats would focus on providing health insurance for those that don't have it," Carroll said.
From October 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,636 American voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percent, including 678 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percent, and 742 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percent.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
36. And thinking about all of the candidates for president, regardless of political party and whether or not you agree with their views, which candidate for President do you think is placing the biggest emphasis on health care issues?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Biden - 1% - - - - Clinton 53 50 58 54 55 52 Dodd - - - - - - Edwards 6 3 9 6 7 5 Gravel - - - - - - Kucinich - - 1 1 1 - Obama 4 2 7 4 3 4 Richardson - - - - - - Giuliani 2 3 1 2 1 2 Huckabee 1 1 - 1 1 - Hunter - - - - - - McCain 1 2 - - 1 1 Paul - - - - - - Romney 1 1 1 2 2 1 Tancredo - - - - - - Thompson 1 1 - - 1 - SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 - 1 DK/NA 31 35 23 30 27 33
37. If you had to say, which do you think is a more serious problem right now - keeping health care costs down for average Americans, or providing health insurance for Americans who do not have any insurance?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Keep costs down 41% 60% 22% 42% 44% 38% Provide insurance 53 33 71 53 51 54 DK/NA 7 7 7 5 5 8
38. In general how would you rate the quality of health care in the United States today - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 16% 26% 7% 17% 21% 12% Good 40 49 33 40 42 38 Not so good 24 14 33 24 20 28 Poor 18 10 24 18 14 20 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 2 1
TREND: In general how would you rate the quality of health care in the United States today? Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Nov 1 Feb 22 2007 2007 Excellent 16 11 Good 40 33 Not so good 24 30 Poor 18 25 DK/NA 2 2
39. In general how would you rate the quality of health care in your community - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 22% 30% 12% 27% 28% 18% Good 48 51 46 47 48 48 Not so good 18 12 26 15 14 21 Poor 11 7 14 10 9 12 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 1
TREND: In general how would you rate the quality of health care in your community? Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Nov 1 Feb 22 2007 2007 Excellent 22 20 Good 48 44 Not so good 18 20 Poor 11 14 DK/NA 1 2
40. In general, how would you rate the quality of health care you and your family receive - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 37% 44% 28% 39% 40% 34% Good 48 47 50 46 48 48 Not so good 9 6 13 7 6 11 Poor 6 3 7 6 6 6 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1
41. Do you think it's the government's responsibility to make sure that everyone in the United States has adequate health care, or don't you think so?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 57% 32% 84% 54% 49% 64% No 38 62 13 41 46 31 DK/NA 5 6 4 6 5 5
TREND: Do you think it's the government's responsibility to make sure that everyone in the United States has adequate health care, or don't you think so?
Nov 1 Feb 22 2007 2007 Yes 57 64 No 38 31 DK/NA 5 4
42. Do you think it's the government's responsibility to provide health insurance for those who can't afford it, or don't you think so?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 60% 41% 80% 58% 55% 64% No 33 53 13 35 40 28 DK/NA 7 6 7 6 5 8
43. As you may know, a new law in Massachusetts would require all residents to have health insurance. Low-income residents would get state subsidies to help pay insurance premiums, but everyone would pay something for health services. The plan would penalize people without any insurance and charge fees to employers who don't provide coverage. Would you support or oppose this plan in your state?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 49% 36% 65% 43% 44% 53% Oppose 40 55 23 43 47 34 DK/NA 12 9 12 14 10 14
44. Do you support or oppose the federal government doing more to help pay for catastrophic health care costs?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 70% 56% 87% 67% 68% 72% Oppose 23 37 8 23 27 20 DK/NA 7 7 5 9 6 8