"Outside DC, This Just Isn't Controversial"

In a poll conducted June 23-29, 2009, Quinnipiac University surveyed more than 3,000 voters across the country with the small margin of error of +/- 1.8 percentage points. (By comparison, a recent CNN poll surveyed just over 1,000 voters and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.)

"Voters trust President Obama more than Republicans in Congress 53 - 33 percent to handle health care."

Accurately reflecting the complex nature of the debate over health care reform and Americans' reactions to the many arguments, the Quinnipiac poll exposes a nuanced view of American opinion. 

"The Quinnipiac University poll of American voters also finds:

• 55 - 40 percent support for limiting tax deductions for those earning more than $250,000 to finance a health-care program;
• By 46 - 38 percent, they don't believe the government can raise enough to finance health- care reform just by taxing those who earn $250,000 or more;
• Reject 51 - 44 percent requiring everyone to have health insurance;
• Support 73 - 24 percent requiring employers to help pay health insurance for workers;
• Believe 52 - 42 percent that a public plan will 'keep private insurance companies honest;'
• Split 46 - 49 percent on whether a public plan would put private insurers out of business;
• Believe 58 - 32 percent that government-run health care would be a 'bad thing.'"

Nearly 70% of Americans want to have the option of "government-run health insurance" and almost 50% are willing to contribute to financing that option.

"Although 69 percent of voters nationwide say Americans should have the option of government- run health insurance, only 28 percent would choose to be covered by it...Voters say 49 - 45 percent they would pay more to reform health care, but a total of 72 percent don't want to pay more than $500 a year."

Quinnipiac shows that Medicare and Medicaid produce higher customer satisfaction than private health insurance, providing further evidence that those public programs serve Americans well.

"Of the 88 percent of American voters who have some form of health insurance, 49 percent are 'very satisfied' with their plan and 36 percent are 'somewhat satisfied.' Among voters with Medicare or Medicaid 54 percent are very satisfied, compared to 45 percent of voters with private insurance."

So, if these results are an accurate portrayal of how Americans view the health care delivery system in this country, then Americans want their fellow citizens to have the option of a government plan and are willing to chip in a few extra bucks to support the program.  And they trust President Obama more than the congressional minority to create that system.

As Steve Benen said: "Outside DC, this just isn't controversial."