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Voters’ common threads in health care

Marketplace Staff Jan 15, 2008

TEXT OF STORY

Doug Krizner: The number one issue this election year is the economy. Number two, health care reform. And a new national survey out today says plans offered by some of the presidential candidates are not in sync with voters. Danielle Karson reports from Washington.


Danielle Karson: One of the findings in the Commonwealth Fund’s survey surprised lead author Sara Collins: 81 percent of respondents believe employers should have to provide health insurance.

Sara Collins: Although this is a feature that is prominent in the Democratic candidates’ proposals, and not in the Republican proposals, it across does gain support across both Democrats, Republicans — and also Independents.

Collins says the answer to who should pay for health insurance also crossed party lines.

Collins: The survey said that it should be shared by individuals, employers and the government. And so I think this idea of everyone sharing this problem and trying to work it out together was a common theme in the survey.

Democratic proposals are most in line with what a majority of respondents say is needed to expand health insurance. Nearly 70 percent favor individuals buying health insurance — with government help if they can’t afford it. But Republican proposals rely almost exclusively on private insurance markets.

In Washington, I’m Danielle Karson for Marketplace.

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