Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 24, 1994 TAG: 9401240095
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Clinton is expected to use his State of the Union speech Tuesday to renew his quest for "health security," in which all Americans would have coverage they could not lose despite job changes or illness.
Only 11 percent of those polled Jan. 14-18 deem it very likely the current Congress will approve a health plan that covers everyone.
Though eight in 10 of those polled say the health care system needs reforming, 54 percent think they personally would have better coverage under the current system than under Clinton's plan.
Those polled favor Clinton's plan by 51 percent to 37 percent. An additional 5 percent offer the unsolicited opinion that they favor parts of the plan.
Four months ago, an AP poll showed 48 percent in favor, 22 percent opposed, and the rest unsure.
The current poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
An additional difficulty in reading public opinion on health reform is the lack of consensus about what it will cost. Past surveys have established that Americans are willing to pay somewhat higher taxes - such as $100 a year - for universal coverage.
But critics of Clinton's plan, including some insurers and congressional Republicans, have stoked fears that the plan would lead to much higher taxes, a big bureaucracy, less choice of doctors and treatments and inferior coverage.
Clinton would guarantee a broad package of benefits, from doctor bills and hospital charges to prescription drugs, for every American starting in 1998. It would be paid for primarily by requiring employers to pay 80 percent of premiums for workers and their families.
Clinton would also require most Americans to get their coverage through insurance purchasing cooperatives that would be created in every region of the country. There would be subsidies for low-wage families and small businesses to help pay for the coverage, as well as higher tobacco taxes and savings in Medicare and Medicaid.
When cost is not mentioned, 83 percent say the health care system needs reform, while 17 percent say it works well the way it is.
The poll shows the public overwhelmingly wants change, but only some groups have a majority who think they personally would have better coverage under Clinton's plan - blacks, Democrats and those with family incomes below $25,000 a year.
Under the Clinton plan, the administration estimates 30 percent of health-insured Americans would pay more, an average of $24 a month. About 15 percent are healthy young people, who would no longer be treated like preferred customers.
In the poll, 57 percent agree that everyone should pay the same amount for health insurance because everyone gets old and anyone can get sick. But a substantial 40 percent agree with an opposing position that those in groups known to have lower health care expenses, such as young people and non-smokers, should pay less for health insurance.
That everyone should pay the same gets the agreement of half of those under 35 and 70 percent of the smokers.
by CNB