AP Poll: Americans fret over health overhaul costs

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and TREVOR TOMPSON

WASHINGTON (AP) - It's the cost, Mr. President.

Americans are worried about hidden costs in the fine print of health care overhaul legislation, an Associated Press poll says. That's creating new challenges for President Barack Obama as he tries to close the deal with a handful of Democratic doubters in the Senate.

Although Americans share a conviction that major health care changes are needed, Democratic bills that extend coverage to the uninsured and try to hold down medical costs get no better than a lukewarm reception.

The poll found that 43 percent oppose the health care plans being discussed in Congress, while 41 percent are in support. An additional 15 percent remain neutral or undecided.



Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20091116/D9C0PAIO2.html

[Skinner]

1. What these polls really need to ask...

...is whether any of the respondents can even name one fact about the health care plans being discussed in congress.

[theoldman]

2. Polls never check the intelligence of the people.

If they did they would not get the answer they are looking for.

[laughingliberal]

3. Here's where a bill with strong reforms would have helped

This line in the article tells a big part of the story:

<snip> There's been little change in broad public sentiment about the overhaul plan from a 40-40 split in an AP poll last month, but not everyone's opinion is at the same intensity. Opponents have stronger feelings than do supporters. <snip>

As we have seen all along, the opponents are strongly motivated for many reasons: partisan desires to see Obama fail, scare tactics by the GOP and astroturf organizers. On the pro-reform side, support is weak due to the industry friendly bills we are seeing out of our legislative bodies. The GOP is organized and speaking with one voice opposing the bills. The Democrats are not speaking with one voice on reform efforts. We have the Ben Nelsons and Joe Liebermans knocking the public option which is critical for earning enthusiastic support from the left.

[stiplic]

4. Yet noithing about the cost of Iraq. Who the fuck are we?

[Altoid_Cyclist]

5. Beat me to the punch on that reply.

http://costofwar.com/

Don't look too hard on who we are, you might not like the answer.
Sounds like the end of Planet of the Apes....

On edit, Welcome to DU :hi: