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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Small Biz Health Care Daily: Views on Health Care Reform

The costs of the health care reform measures being pushed by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats would be huge. But what would be accomplished? According to a Gallup Poll released last week, many people seem to think that either nothing will change or matters will get worse.

For example, on the question of whether medical care would improve, worsen or not change, for the U.S. in general, 44% said improve, with 34% saying worsen and 14% no change – so, 48% say it will either worsen or not change. When asked about their personal medical care, 26% said improve, while 34% said worsen and 29% no change – with the worsen/no change responses tallying up to 63%.

What about expanding access to health care? For the U.S., 47% said it would expand, 29% reduce, and 13% no change – with the reduce/no change responses totaling 42%. As for personal access to care, 21% said expand, 29% reduce and 39% no change – with the reduce/no change group adding up to 68%.

Finally, on health care reform’s impact on health care costs, for the U.S., 45% said costs would increase, 30% said costs would be reduced, and 14% no change – so, the combination saying increased costs or no change registered 59%. In terms of personal costs, 34% said increase, 18% reduce and 33% no change – with the increase/no change group coming in at 67%.

Raymond J. Keating, chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, responded:

“The hefty amount of skepticism among the American people regarding the quality, access and costs of health care under reforms that would vastly expand government’s role in health care are completely justified. The costs of the health care measures advocated by President Obama and congressional leaders will be massive for taxpayers in general – and most certainly for small businesses – but solid percentages of Americans expect either no change or a worsening of the health care situation. And they’re right. The economics of government-run health care point to higher costs and reduced access to quality health care.”


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