Maybe so, if this poll of Arkansans' view of the medical insurance debate is any guide.
http://www.talkbusiness.net/Weblogs/WeblogItemDetail.aspx?WebLogItemID=b2d91228-759f-42f1-9158-1c912f57c2db&WeblogID=cc24fc6b-d9a7-4647-b991-53b1cec2eec4Question: Overall, how satisfied are you with the quality of health care that you and your family receive (ROTATE)?
Very Satisfied 46%
Somewhat Satisfied 40%
Somewhat Dissatisfied 9%
Very Dissatisfied 5%
Don’t Know 0%
Question: Would you prefer a health care system where most Americans get their health care coverage through the federal government or a system where most Americans get their health care coverage through a private insurance provider (ROTATE)?
Federal Government Provider 16%
Private Insurance Provider 74%
Don’t Know 10%
Question: Would you prefer a health care plan that raises taxes in order to provide health insurance to all Americans or a plan that does not provide health insurance to all Americans but keeps taxes at current levels?
Raise taxes/Health Care for all 27%
Current level/No Health Care for all 59%
Don’t Know 14%
In our poll, 30% of Arkansans cited “paying for health care costs” as their greatest financial concern today (it was the highest ranking concern), yet it is interesting to note the high level of health care satisfaction expressed with Arkansans. 86% are somewhat or very satisfied with the quality of their care.
Score a victory for the advocates who have shaped a message that a public option will be inferior to a purely private health care insurance model. There is little doubt that Arkansas voters oppose a public option. Three out of every four voters prefer a private insurance healthcare system as opposed to a federal government system.
And of course, the sentiment for tax increases is overwhelmingly negative.