Are Healthcare Polls Telling The Real Story?

As the polls continue to be release on healthcare reform, it’s beginning to appear obvious that the polls are being manipulated to reflect partisan messages and goals.

Examples:

AP Poll: Public favors gov’t health plan

WASHINGTON — More Americans support creation of a new government-run health insurance plan to compete with the private insurance market, a new Associated Press poll finds, but the level of enthusiasm depends on how the question is asked.

Tell people that letting the government sell insurance would be cheaper for them, and a majority is in favor.

Tell them the government would be making decisions about what medical care they could get, and support sinks.

Poll: People not liking Obama health care plan

Then my favorite:

AP POLL: How to pay for health overhaul? Tax rich

The House bill would impose a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on individuals making more than $500,000 a year and households making more than $1 million.

The poll tested views on an even more punitive taxation scheme that was under consideration earlier, when the tax would have hit people making more than $250,000 a year. Even at that level the poll showed majority support, with 57 percent in favor and 36 percent opposed.

“You know, I mean, why not? If they have that much money, it should be taxed,” said Mary Pat Rondthaler, 60, of Menlo Park, Calif. “It isn’t the same way that the guy making $21,000 is.”

Not everyone agreed.

“They earn their money. And they shouldn’t have to pay for somebody else. It doesn’t seem fair,” said Emerson Wilkins, 62, of Powder Springs, Ga.

An income tax increase on all Americans to pay for a health care remake — an approach Congress never considered — was overwhelmingly rejected in the poll. Seventy-five percent opposed that idea, and only nineteen percent were in favor.

Keep in mind that in Canada, and other universal healthcare countries, tax rates are significantly higher for all citizens.

So, let’s not fool ourselves. Healthcare reform is going to cost us all… a lot. So now is the time to decide if the government solution is right for America.

The Patient-Doctor Alliance believes that Americans can reform the system themselves.. through bringing the doctor and patients together to overcome special interests.

Tort reform, inefficiency, defensive medicine, high costs.

These will not go away with Obamacare. Only we can do it.