You’ll hear any number of statistics thrown around about how the public feels about health care. Usually, this is broken down into pro-and anti-reform numbers — who likes the current bill, and who doesn’t.  Chris Fitzsimon went a step further, breaking down poll numbers. Turns out 37 percent of the people who express skepticism about the bill don’t think it goes far enough.
The public wants — indeed, demands — health care.

41—percentage of people who say they “favor the health care reform proposals presently being discussed” (Ipsos/McClatchy Poll. Feb. 26-28, 2010)

47—percentage of people who say they “oppose the health care reform proposals presently being discussed” (Ibid)

37— percentage of those who oppose health care reform proposals presently being discussed because they “favor health care reform overall but think the current proposals don’t go far enough to reform health care” (Ibid)

58—total percentage of people who favor health reform proposals presently being discussed or support reform but think the current proposals don’t go far enough (Ibid)

30—total percentage of people who oppose health care reform proposals presently being discussed or oppose reform but support current proposals because they will keep health reform from happening (Ibid)

57—percentage of people who think that the Republicans are deliberately avoiding compromise in order to obstruct the bill in any form (Ibid)

36—think that Republicans in Congress are working hard to try to find a compromise with the Democrats on the health care bill (Ibid)

67—percentage of people who say they are not confident in pharmaceutical companies to recommend the right thing for reforming the U.S. health care system. (Gallup Poll. March 2-3, 2010)

71—percentage of people who say they are not confident in health insurance companies to recommend the right thing for reforming the U.S. health care system. (Gallup Poll. March 2-3, 2010)

19—-percentage of people who say that Congress should stop working on health care reform this year (Kaiser Family Foundation Tracking Poll, February 23, 2010)

76—percentage of people who say it is extremely or very important to reform the way health insurance works (Ibid)

68—percentage of people who say it is extremely or very important to provide financial help for lower and middle income people as part of health reform law (Ibid)

58—percentage of people who say they will be angry or disappointed if Congress decides to stop work on health care reform and does not pass a law this year (Ibid)

38— percentage of people who say they will be happy or relieved if Congress decides to stop work on health care reform and does not pass a law this year (Ibid)

The Kaiser Family Foundation released mid-January poll results that found Americans squarely divided on national health reform proposals—at least at first glance. The poll went on to show that large proportions of Americans are unaware of the major provisions of heath reform bills, and their support increases dramatically when told about provisions like tax credits to help small businesses cover their employees, health insurance exchanges where coverage options can be compared; closing the Medicare drug benefit “doughnut hole,” and eliminating denials and rate hikes because of pre-existing conditions.

The sometimes raucous debate over hot-button issues (and outright untruths) of the last 6 months has worked against Americans getting a clear picture of the framework of health reform. This Policy Page provides a high-level outline of the key insurance coverage elements of the Senate bill, noting areas in which compromises with the House are likely.

To view the news release, key findings, chart pack and more visit the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Foundation also updated its interactive side-by-side health reform comparison tool to reflect changes to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee proposal.  The online tool allows users to compare any of 11 different plans, including the House Tri-Committee legislation and the Senate Finance Committee policy options.