Posted by
Defend America on Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:24:13 PM
More in U.S. Say Health Coverage Is Not Gov’t. Responsibility
Marks significant shift from the attitudes of the past decade
by Frank Newport
PRINCETON,
NJ -- More Americans now say it is not the federal government's
responsibility to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage
(50%) than say it is (47%). This is a first since Gallup began tracking
this question, and a significant shift from as recently as three years
ago, when two-thirds said ensuring healthcare coverage was the
government's responsibility.
...
Gallup has asked this question each November since 2001 as part of
the Gallup Poll Social Series, and most recently in its Nov. 5-8 Health
and Healthcare survey. There have been some fluctuations from year to
year, but this year marks the first time in the history of this trend
that less than half of Americans say ensuring healthcare coverage for
all is the federal government's responsibility.
The high point for the "government responsibility" viewpoint
occurred in 2006, when 69% of Americans agreed. In 2008, this
percentage fell to 54%, its previous low reading. This year, in the
midst of robust debate on a potentially imminent healthcare reform law,
the percentage of Americans agreeing that it is the government's
responsibility to make sure everyone has health insurance has fallen
even further, by seven points, to 47%. Half of Americans now say this
is not the government's responsibility.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/124253/Say-Health-Coverage-Not-Gov-Responsibility.aspx