Government
Americans support individual insurance mandate
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 14, 2007
Sixty-eight percent of Americans support the notion of a mandate that people purchase health insurance, according to an April 21-22 phone survey of 1,000 registered voters by the Winston Group, a Washington, D.C.-based survey research firm.
But that support turns to opposition if the mandate meant people would have to shop for policies in the individual market. About 63% of Americans reject that proposition, according to the poll, conducted for Health Care America, a nonpartisan consumer advocacy organization supporting consumer choice.
The survey found that 78% believe the country has a moral obligation to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care; 61% said the nation's system isn't perfect but is better than health care in the rest of the world; and 85% have a favorable impression of doctors.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/05/14/gvbf0514.htm.
