I recently had a lively debate over at Gruntdoc about some polling from Rasmussen which suggested that a large majority of Americans would like to see the Health Care Reform law repealed. My thoughts were that this reflected the republican-leaning house effect of the pollster Rassmussen, himself a former GOP strategist. However, it leaves unanswered the question of where public opinion is on the HCR law and what implications that may have for its future. The Congressional GOP has staked out its position: repeal, going so far as to introduce their bill to that effect. I suppose that it's an exercise in hypotheticals, since even with a landslide the GOP won't have the Senate or the White House for the 112th Congress. But where are the opinions now that the law is passed, things are settled, but most of the goodies are not yet in effect?
Well, turns out that Pollster's poll of polls still shows a modest and stable six-point generic opposition to the HCR law:
"Oppose" is a pretty broad brush, though, and more detailed data is welcome. Rasmussen polled "repeal" support and found it -- implausibly, in my opinion -- at 63%. The Wall Street Journal and NBC polled the issue and found support for repeal much lower, at 42% with 55% saying that the law should be left alone and given a chance to work. Independent voters were also substantially more likely to support giving the law a chance to work. A CBS/Vanity Fair poll showed a plurality of voters (42%) wanted to leave the law as it was with no provisions repealed. Those who did want to repeal a part of the HCR law most wanted to get rid of the individual mandate (30%).
It's too soon to say what the ultimate verdict is whether the PPACA will be viewed as a landmark piece of legislation, a footnote or a failure. It will be easier to pass judgment after the major provisions go into effect, assuming that they are allowed to. I'm not accustomed to showing that sort of patience, but I guess I'll just have to wait. The early evidence, though, is that the American public is taking a mature and nuanced view of the law and its prospects.
Who'd have thunk it?
Well, turns out that Pollster's poll of polls still shows a modest and stable six-point generic opposition to the HCR law:
"Oppose" is a pretty broad brush, though, and more detailed data is welcome. Rasmussen polled "repeal" support and found it -- implausibly, in my opinion -- at 63%. The Wall Street Journal and NBC polled the issue and found support for repeal much lower, at 42% with 55% saying that the law should be left alone and given a chance to work. Independent voters were also substantially more likely to support giving the law a chance to work. A CBS/Vanity Fair poll showed a plurality of voters (42%) wanted to leave the law as it was with no provisions repealed. Those who did want to repeal a part of the HCR law most wanted to get rid of the individual mandate (30%).
It's too soon to say what the ultimate verdict is whether the PPACA will be viewed as a landmark piece of legislation, a footnote or a failure. It will be easier to pass judgment after the major provisions go into effect, assuming that they are allowed to. I'm not accustomed to showing that sort of patience, but I guess I'll just have to wait. The early evidence, though, is that the American public is taking a mature and nuanced view of the law and its prospects.
Who'd have thunk it?
No comments:
Post a Comment