Pennsylvanians are tuned in to the health care reform debate, but they are deeply conflicted and a bit perplexed about both parties' plans, according to a new Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll.
They give President Barack Obama higher overall marks than Republicans when it comes to reform, but they're not sold on his ideas either.
The poll, of 402 state residents conducted between Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, has a 5 percentage-point margin of error and shows some 68 percent of Pennsylvanians are paying at least somewhat close attention to the debate.
"I see a very divided, concerned and confused public in Pennsylvania on the issue of health care," said Muhlenberg College political scientist Chris Borick, who conducted the poll. "There is no clear support regarding the proposals that are out there. There is no overwhelming alignment towards the president's proposals or the Republican positions."
Count retired salesman Marion Rozinski of Coal Township, Northumberland County, among the confounded.
A registered Republican, he's not happy with either party's explanation of its approach to health care reform and is planning to switch his registration to independent. It's personal for Rozinski, a 70-year-old on Medicare who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and takes 13 different medications.
"I don't think it all has been laid out to us," Rozinski said. "I think we as taxpayers have the right to be told and have the right to be heard. If they refine it and make it more understandable, I might support it."
No matter what happens, Rozinski said he thinks Americans should be able to choose their type of health care coverage.
In general, Obama got more support than congressional Republicans, with 47 percent of respondents saying Obama has better reform ideas, to 21 percent who favor the GOP's approach. And 58 percent said they "generally disapprove" of the way Republicans are handling the issue.
That said, a whopping 62 percent of respondents said the reforms under consideration in Congress are confusing, and 44 percent said they didn't know enough about Obama's ideas to form an opinion.
That reflects Republicans' success at pointing out problems with Obama's plans, but an inability to articulate a clear alternative, Borick said.
That's even true for some in their own party like 80-year-old Shirley Shuey of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County She said she's still undecided.
"I understand there will be cuts in Medicare with this Obama plan. I don't know what the Republicans' plan is," she said.
If there's one thing nearly everyone agrees on, it's this: Insurance companies should have to cover patients with pre-existing medical conditions. More than nine out of 10 respondents said that change is something they prefer or see as a must in any reform package.
There also was a lot of support for limiting medical malpractice awards, with 70 percent saying they'd like to see such limits included in the final legislation.
Support for the so-called "public option," in which a government-run insurance plan would compete with private insurers, was mixed. About half, 51 percent, said they favor offering a Medicare-like plan to everyone as competition with private insurance.
Pennsylvanians are conflicted over how bad the health care problem is. Some 84 percent said they are very or somewhat satisfied with the quality of their health care, yet 84 percent also said the nation's health care system needs to be overhauled or subjected to fundamental changes.
Borick said that shows state residents are happy about their current health care but worried it's in jeopardy.
"That spells out so much of the contemporary political situation we are dealing with in health care," Borick said. "Most people feel the care they get is good in the United States. They feel they are satisfied with the care they receive, but a majority also think that care and the system that provides it is not sustainable."
Charles McDonald of East Stroudsburg said he thinks either party's reform plans could work, but he's primarily concerned they don't change his Medicare coverage.
"I'm happy with what I've got," said McDonald, 76, a retired police chief and Republican. "I'm confident they are not going to touch it."
The poll puts candidates in the 2010 elections on notice that voters, particularly Republicans, take health care very seriously when standing in the voting booth. One in three Republican voters and roughly one in four Democrats and independents said they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views on health care.
"On this particular issue we have seen more of the intense feelings on the Republican side," Borick said. "That has played a big role in fueling the unified opposition you get from Republican lawmakers. They see their base feels passionate about this and they had better be in line with them."
Respondents' political affiliation was 44 percent Democrat, 27 percent Republican and 23 percent independent. Democrats make up 51 percent of Pennsylvania voters, Republicans 37 percent and others 12 percent. Some voters who describe themselves as independents register as Democrats or Republicans so they can vote in primary elections. To see more of The Morning Call, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mcall.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2009, The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.