Majority of Public Maintains Support for Addressing Health Care ...(e debate and the longer it lasts the mor...),Health

More on the Public Plan

Echoing the policy debate, roughly four in ten people (43%) say a public plan would be more likely to drive private companies out of business, while just as many (45%) hold the opposite view, saying it would cause private companies to become more efficient and provide better products.

People's views on a public plan are moveable as the survey shows by replicating arguments used in the current reform debate. When those who initially support the public plan are told that this could give the government an unfair advantage over private companies, overall support drops to 35 percent. Conversely, when opponents are told that public plans would give people more choice or help drive down costs through competition, overall support jumps to roughly seven in ten.

Effective Arguments For and Against Health Care Reform

When offered a number of possible arguments used in the current health care debate, certain messages resonate more with the public than others.

Messages that make the public feel more favorable about a health care reform plan:

• Can keep own doctor or health plan (74% more likely to support reform if they heard)
• Would ensure financial health of Medicare (67%)
• Would cover pre-existing conditions (66%)
• Won't increase budget deficit (63%)
• Would provide financial help to get health insurance for those who need it (63%)
• Would save country money over time (63%)
• Higher quality of care for Medicare patients (59%)
  

Messages that make the public feel less favorable about a plan:

• Was going to increase premiums/out of pocket costs (66%
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