Rep. Boehner: "I've Not Talked To One" American Who Supports The Public Option
On October 1, 2009, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) claimed that he hasn't found a single American outside of Congress who supports a public health insurance option. In fact, 65 % of Americans and 57% of Ohioans support "giving people the option of being covered by a government health insurance plan that would compete with private plans."
Rep. Boehner: "I'm Still Trying To Find The First American...Who's In Favor Of The Public Option"
Glenn Thrush reports:
Boehner claimed, with a semi-straight face, that he has yet to meet a regular "American" who favors the option -- despite polls showing that a majority of voters support to the idea of having the choice of a government plan.
"I'm still trying to find the first American to talk to who's in favor of the public option, other than a member of Congress or the administration" said Boehner, whose sole recent foray into a public discussion of health care reform was a tea-party-style event in Ohio a few weeks back.
"I've not talked to one and I get to a lot of places," he told reporters at his weekly press availability. [Politico, 10/01/09]
65% Of Americans Want A Public Option
65% Of Americans Support The Public Option. According to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll, 65% of Americans favor "the government offering a government administered health insurance plan - something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get - that would compete with private health insurance plans." Only 26% of respondents said they were opposed to such an option. [New York Times/CBS News poll, 9/19-23/09]
57% Of Ohioans (Hey, Isn't Boehner One Of Those?) Want A Public Option
57% Of Ohioans Support The Public Option. According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, "57% of Ohioans support 'giving people the option of being covered by a government health insurance plan that would compete with private plans' and only 35% are opposed. In fact, over 50% of voters in every age, income and education level support the public option." [Quinnipiac via ProgressOhio.org, 9/16/09]
