Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Details, Details

Steve Benen reminds us that actual details matter about Obamacare.
In the new NBC News poll, people were asked, "From what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan, do you think his plan is a good idea or a bad idea?" Just 36% think it's a good idea; 42% think it's a bad idea. The numbers are exactly the same as they were a month ago.

The problem, as we discussed this morning, is that Americans oppose the idea because they've bought into several right-wing lies that are demonstrably false. Chuck Todd raised an important point this morning: "According to our poll, when [Americans] hear the facts, it's another story. After being read a statement that include actual details of the Obama health care plan, a majority -- 53 percent -- say they are in favor of it."

Funny how the program gains 17 points when the GOP misinformation is removed, isn't it? And hey, 53% was good enough to elect a President, right?

And let's also keep in mind that if Obama has no credibility on health care, Congressional Republicans by comparison have less than zero.

Several Republicans seem encouraged by the fact that only 41% of poll respondents approve of the way President Obama is handling health care reform. But let's not overlook the next question: "Do you generally approve or disapprove of the way that Republicans in Congress are handling the issue of health care reform?" Just 21% approve, 62% disapprove.
If the GOP really, really wants to make an issue of health care in 2010, go for it.

7 comments:

  1. Do they include all 1000+ pages in those details? Or just a few lines to get the result they want.

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  2. lol. Did you read the question they were referring to? It's not exactly details and it's not exactly the whole plan. There's no mention of the so-called public option except obliquely, no mention of forcing people to change health insurance plans when their insurance changes. I'd even support part of the question if that's all we did.

    Now I am going to tell you more about the health care plan that President Obama supports and please tell me whether you would favor or oppose it.
    The plan requires that health insurance companies cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. It also requires all but the smallest employers to provide health coverage for their employees, or pay a percentage of their payroll to help fund coverage for the uninsured. Families and individuals with lower- and middle-incomes would receive tax credits to help them afford insurance coverage. Some of the funding for this plan would come from raising taxes on wealthier Americans.

    Do you favor or oppose this plan?

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  3. I mean... I completely favor the plan.

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  4. Thing is, that plan is not the bill.

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  5. Where's the Republican plan, Serv?

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  6. I've posted it here before. http://ow.ly/kCBR

    It's not perfect I prefer Mackey the CEO of Whole Foods ideas. http://ow.ly/kCCJ

    We can solve our problems without government taking everything over and mandating everything.

    ReplyDelete