Americans Prefer A Public Option Even If Democrats Go It Alone

Despite being declared DOA by the press multiple times, the public option is still popular with the American people. The Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll asked Americans about the public option and got some interesting results.

QUESTION: Do you favor or oppose creating a government administered health insurance option that anyone can purchase to compete with private insurance plans?
FAVOR OPPOSE NOT SURE
All 59 34 7

This number is actually lower than we’ve seen in other polls. The last poll (CBS/New York Times) had support of the public option at 65%. The poll found that Americans prefer a public plan to no public plan even if the bill isn’t bipartisan.

QUESTION: Which of the following scenarios do you prefer/ do you prefer? (ROTATED): Getting a health care bill with the choice of a strong public health insurance option to compete with private insurance plans that’s supported only by Democrats in Congress, OR Getting a health care bill with no public option that has the support of Democrats and a handful of Republicans?
OPTION NO OPT NOT SURE
All 52 39 9
Dem 80 13 7
Rep 22 70 8
Ind 47 42 11

The poll also found that more voters are likely to vote for a politician who supports the public option than to vote against them. This really goes against the conventional wisdom that Blue Dogs risk their seats if they vote for a public option. They are more likely to be risking their seats if they vote against it.

QUESTION: If a candidate for public office opposed a public health insurance option to compete with private insurance plans, would that make you more or less likely to vote for that candidate or would it have no real effect on your vote?
MORE LESS NO EFFECT
All 22 36 42
Dem 5 61 34
Rep 61 7 32
Ind 16 32 52

Democrats need to stop hiding behind Republican opposition. The public option is still popular and people are willing to back a Democrat-only bill. If the health care reform effort fails, it will be because of Democratic opposition.