Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
SurveyUSA Health Care Data Gathered Using NBC News Wall Street Journal Questions: SurveyUSA asked 1,200 USA adults four questions that, word-for-word, were included in the three most recent NBC News / Wall Street Journal polls. SurveyUSA Question #2 appears in the June 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #34A. SurveyUSA Question #3 appears in the June 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #34C, in the July 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #29, and in the August 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #10. SurveyUSA Questions #4 and #5 appear in the June 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #31C, in the July 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #30, and in the August 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #11. SurveyUSA Question #6 appears in the June 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #32, in the July 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #31, and in the August 2009 NBC-WSJ poll as Question #12. SurveyUSA demographics were matched as close as practicable to demographics used by the NBC-WSJ pollsters in June, July and August 2009. The NBC-WSJ questionnaires in all cases were longer. Not all questions from the NBC-WSJ surveys were included in the SurveyUSA research. For example, in the July 2009 NBC-WSJ poll, respondents were asked questions about Congress, Sonia Sotomayor, Sarah Palin, Joe Biden , Nancy Pelosi, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, the 2010 mid-term election, job creation, deficit spending, Iraq, Afghanistan, gasoline, global warming, greenhouse gases, moral values, bank regulation and stimulus packages before respondents were asked questions about health care. There is nothing inherently worse about a longer questionnaire, there is nothing inherently better about a shorter questionnaire; there is just more opportunity for "question-order" interaction in a longer questionnaire. SurveyUSA included only the questions shown below, and no others. SurveyUSA Question #1 does not map to a specific NBC-WSJ poll; it was included to introduce the respondent to the topic of health care. SurveyUSA poll was conducted using digitally mastered, recorded audio. NBC-WSJ polls were not. NBC-WSJ August data gathered 08/15/09 through 08/17/09. SurveyUSA data gathered 08/19/09. SurveyUSA data collection for this project was underwritten by MoveOn.org. Poll respondents did not hear MoveOn's name. SurveyUSA is an independent research company and does not endorse any particular cause or ideology. SurveyUSA has no stake in the outcome of any health-care legislation and is a disinterested party in the health-care debate.
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Are you paying ... a lot of attention? A little attention? Or not very much attention? ...to the debate over health care? Gender Male 77% 19% 5% 100% 48% Female White 70% 24% 6% 100% 52% 75% 20% 5% 100% 74% Race 75% 21% 4% 100% 11% 66% 27% 6% 100% 10% 55% 35% 10% 100% 6% Party Affiliation 82% 16% 2% 100% 28% 68% 27% 5% 100% 38% 73% 19% 7% 100% 31% 83% 15% 2% 100% 34% Ideology 68% 26% 6% 100% 43% 74% 21% 6% 100% 17% College 79% 19% 3% 100% 50% 68% 24% 8% 100% 50% 69% 23% 8% 100% 34% Income 78% 18% 4% 100% 34% 73% 24% 3% 100% 32%
1200 Adults Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2.6% A Lot Of Attention A Little Attention Not Very Much Attention Total Composition of Adults
All 73% 21% 5% 100% 100%
Black Hispani Other Republi Democr Indepen Conser Modera Liberal College No Coll $80K
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Are you paying ... a lot of attention? A little attention? Or not very much attention? ...to the debate over health care? Region Northea Midwes South 72% 23% 5% 100% 19% 75% 20% 6% 100% 22% 77% 19% 4% 100% 36% West 67% 26% 6% 100% 23% 18-34 56% 35% 9% 100% 24% 75% 22% 3% 100% 26% Age 35-49 50-64 81% 15% 4% 100% 30% 65+ 81% 15% 5% 100% 20%
1200 Adults Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2.6% A Lot Of Attention A Little Attention Not Very Much Attention Total Composition of Adults
All 73% 21% 5% 100% 100%
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 1
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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Are you paying ... a lot of attention? A little attention? Or not very much attention? ...to the debate over health care? US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 59% 31% 10% 100% 8% 25-29 55% 33% 12% 100% 6% 30-34 55% 39% 6% 100% 10% 35-39 76% 22% 2% 100% 8% 40-44 67% 28% 5% 100% 9% 45-49 82% 15% 2% 100% 9% 50-54 79% 16% 5% 100% 10% 55-59 80% 16% 4% 100% 11% 60-64 85% 12% 3% 100% 9% 65-69 85% 9% 6% 100% 7% 70-74 ** ** ** 100% 5% 75+ 77% 19% 4% 100% 8% $80K
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In any health care proposal, how important do you feel it is to give people a choice of both a public plan administered by the federal government and a private plan for their health insurance--extremely important, quite important, not that important, or not at all important? All 58% 19% 7% 15% 1% 100% 100% Region Northea Midwes South 57% 23% 9% 11% 0% 100% 19% 56% 15% 9% 19% 1% 100% 22% 62% 16% 5% 15% 2% 100% 36% West 54% 24% 6% 15% 1% 100% 23% 18-34 62% 23% 5% 9% 1% 100% 24% 53% 18% 7% 21% 2% 100% 26% Age 35-49 50-64 59% 18% 7% 15% 1% 100% 30% 65+ 59% 18% 7% 15% 1% 100% 20%
1200 Adults Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2.9% Extremely Important Quite Important Not That Important Not At All Important Not Sure Total Composition of Adults
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 2
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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In any health care proposal, how important do you feel it is to give people a choice of both a public plan administered by the federal government and a private plan for their health insurance--extremely important, quite important, not that important, or not at all important? All 58% 19% 7% 15% 1% 100% 100% US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 68% 20% 7% 4% 2% 100% 8% 25-29 65% 20% 4% 10% 1% 100% 6% 30-34 56% 28% 4% 12% 1% 100% 10% 35-39 54% 20% 3% 21% 2% 100% 8% 40-44 47% 23% 10% 17% 2% 100% 9% 45-49 57% 11% 7% 25% 0% 100% 9% 50-54 57% 17% 11% 15% 0% 100% 10% 55-59 55% 20% 6% 17% 2% 100% 11% 60-64 66% 16% 5% 13% 0% 100% 9% 65-69 57% 17% 7% 17% 2% 100% 7% 70-74 ** ** ** ** ** 100% 5% 75+ 56% 23% 9% 10% 1% 100% 8% $80K
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Please tell me which ONE statement you agree with more on the issue of creating a new public health plan administered by the federal government. (choices rotated) Some people say it would help lower health care costs because it would compete with private health plans. This new public plan would provide coverage for the uninsured and all Americans would have an option for quality affordable health care. Other people say that patients might not always have access to their choice of doctors and the government would lower costs by limiting medical treatment options and decisions that should be made instead by patients and doctors. All 42% 46% 11% 100% 100% Region Northea Midwes South 49% 39% 12% 100% 19% 38% 50% 12% 100% 22% 40% 49% 11% 100% 36% West 44% 45% 11% 100% 23% 18-34 47% 46% 7% 100% 24% 39% 49% 13% 100% 26% Age 35-49 50-64 46% 43% 11% 100% 30% 65+ 36% 48% 16% 100% 20% Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 3
1200 Adults Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2.9% Provide Care for All Limit Access to Doctors Not Sure Total Composition of Adults
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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Please tell me which ONE statement you agree with more on the issue of creating a new public health plan administered by the federal government. (choices rotated) Some people say it would help lower health care costs because it would compete with private health plans. This new public plan would provide coverage for the uninsured and all Americans would have an option for quality affordable health care. Other people say that patients might not always have access to their choice of doctors and the government would lower costs by limiting medical treatment options and decisions that should be made instead by patients and doctors. All 42% 46% 11% 100% 100% US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 58% 36% 6% 100% 8% 25-29 52% 34% 14% 100% 6% 30-34 34% 61% 5% 100% 10% 35-39 43% 44% 12% 100% 8% 40-44 41% 47% 12% 100% 9% 45-49 32% 55% 13% 100% 9% 50-54 37% 51% 12% 100% 10% 55-59 49% 42% 9% 100% 11% 60-64 53% 36% 11% 100% 9% 65-69 33% 54% 12% 100% 7% 70-74 ** ** ** 100% 5% 75+ 38% 41% 21% 100% 8% $80K
Not Sure Total Composition of Adults
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Yes No
Do you have a health plan, that is, are you covered by a private health insurance plan or by a government program such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare? Region Northea Midwes South 87% 12% 1% 100% 19% 88% 10% 2% 100% 22% 84% 14% 2% 100% 36% West 84% 16% 0% 100% 23% 18-34 77% 20% 3% 100% 24% 88% 11% 1% 100% 26% Age 35-49 50-64 83% 16% 0% 100% 30% 65+ 95% 3% 2% 100% 20%
1200 Adults Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2%
All 85% 13% 1% 100% 100%
Not Sure Total Composition of Adults
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 4
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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Yes No
Do you have a health plan, that is, are you covered by a private health insurance plan or by a government program such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare? US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 68% 28% 4% 100% 8% 25-29 79% 19% 2% 100% 6% 30-34 83% 14% 3% 100% 10% 35-39 91% 9% 0% 100% 8% 40-44 81% 17% 1% 100% 9% 45-49 91% 8% 1% 100% 9% 50-54 78% 22% 0% 100% 10% 55-59 82% 18% 0% 100% 11% 60-64 92% 7% 1% 100% 9% 65-69 96% 4% 0% 100% 7% 70-74 ** ** ** 100% 5% 75+ 93% 4% 3% 100% 8% $80K
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Well, what kind of plan would you say your primary plan is? Region Northea Midwes South 67% 22% 5% 3% 0% 2% 100% 20% 72% 20% 3% 3% 1% 1% 100% 23% 59% 25% 6% 7% 2% 1% 100% 35% West 73% 17% 2% 5% 2% 1% 100% 22% 18-34 71% 9% 10% 6% 3% 2% 100% 21% 89% 3% 4% 3% 1% 0% 100% 27% Age 35-49 50-64 78% 10% 4% 6% 1% 0% 100% 29% 65+ 22% 71% 1% 3% 1% 2% 100% 23% Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 5
1024 With a Health Plan Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2.9% Private Medicare Medicaid Tricare Other Not Sure Total Composition of With a Health Plan
All 67% 22% 4% 5% 2% 1% 100% 100%
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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Well, what kind of plan would you say your primary plan is? US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 58% 16% 20% 6% 0% 0% 100% 6% 25-29 65% 11% 1% 10% 8% 5% 100% 5% 30-34 83% 2% 8% 4% 1% 2% 100% 10% 35-39 87% 1% 4% 6% 1% 0% 100% 9% 40-44 90% 3% 5% 1% 0% 0% 100% 9% 45-49 89% 4% 2% 3% 2% 1% 100% 9% 50-54 77% 9% 7% 5% 2% 0% 100% 9% 55-59 83% 6% 3% 7% 1% 0% 100% 11% 60-64 74% 17% 1% 6% 2% 1% 100% 9% 65-69 29% 66% 1% 2% 1% 1% 100% 8% 70-74 19% 76% 1% 4% 0% 0% 100% 6% 75+ 16% 72% 0% 4% 2% 5% 100% 9% $80K
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 6
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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Now I am going to tell you more about the health care plan that President Obama supports and please tell me whether you would favor or oppose it. The plan requires that health insurance companies cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. It also requires all but the smallest employers to provide health coverage for their employees, or pay a percentage of their payroll to help fund coverage for the uninsured. Families and individuals with lower- and middle-incomes would receive tax credits to help them afford insurance coverage. Some of the funding for this plan would come from raising taxes on wealthier Americans. Do you favor or oppose this plan? All 51% 43% 6% 100% 100% Region Northea Midwes South 62% 32% 6% 100% 19% 45% 49% 6% 100% 22% 50% 45% 5% 100% 36% West 50% 41% 9% 100% 23% 18-34 60% 29% 11% 100% 24% 47% 47% 5% 100% 26% Age 35-49 50-64 55% 43% 3% 100% 30% 65+ 41% 52% 7% 100% 20%
1200 Adults Margin of Sampling Error: +/-2.9% Favor Oppose Not Sure Total Composition of Adults
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Now I am going to tell you more about the health care plan that President Obama supports and please tell me whether you would favor or oppose it. The plan requires that health insurance companies cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. It also requires all but the smallest employers to provide health coverage for their employees, or pay a percentage of their payroll to help fund coverage for the uninsured. Families and individuals with lower- and middle-incomes would receive tax credits to help them afford insurance coverage. Some of the funding for this plan would come from raising taxes on wealthier Americans. Do you favor or oppose this plan? All 51% 43% 6% 100% 100% US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 66% 27% 7% 100% 8% 25-29 74% 25% 1% 100% 6% 30-34 47% 33% 20% 100% 10% 35-39 54% 44% 2% 100% 8% 40-44 48% 44% 8% 100% 9% 45-49 41% 54% 5% 100% 9% 50-54 47% 51% 2% 100% 10% 55-59 57% 40% 3% 100% 11% 60-64 60% 36% 4% 100% 9% 65-69 43% 52% 5% 100% 7% 70-74 ** ** ** 100% 5% 75+ 41% 50% 9% 100% 8% $80K
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 7
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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And do you strongly or only somewhat favor this plan? Region Northea Midwes South 82% 18% 0% 100% 23% 73% 26% 1% 100% 20% 78% 20% 1% 100% 35% West 80% 18% 2% 100% 22% 18-34 82% 18% 0% 100% 28% 78% 22% 0% 100% 24% Age 35-49 50-64 80% 17% 2% 100% 32% 65+ 72% 26% 2% 100% 16%
614 Who Favor Plan Margin of Sampling Error: +/-3.3% Strongly Favor Somewhat Favor Not Sure Total Composition of Who Favor Plan
All 79% 20% 1% 100% 100%
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And do you strongly or only somewhat favor this plan? US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 78% 22% 0% 100% 10% 25-29 85% 15% 0% 100% 8% 30-34 82% 18% 0% 100% 9% 35-39 73% 27% 0% 100% 8% 40-44 80% 20% 0% 100% 9% 45-49 80% 20% 0% 100% 7% 50-54 74% 25% 1% 100% 9% 55-59 79% 16% 5% 100% 12% 60-64 87% 12% 1% 100% 10% 65-69 75% 23% 2% 100% 6% 70-74 ** ** ** 100% 4% 75+ 70% 29% 0% 100% 6% $80K
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 8
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699
Geography: USA 50 States Data Collected: 08/19/2009 Release Date: 08/20/2009 Sponsor: MoveOn.org Political Action ()
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And do you strongly or only somewhat oppose this plan? Region Northea Midwes South 83% 14% 3% 100% 14% 86% 14% 0% 100% 26% 86% 13% 1% 100% 38% West 89% 11% 0% 100% 22% 18-34 86% 14% 0% 100% 16% 91% 9% 0% 100% 29% Age 35-49 50-64 87% 12% 1% 100% 30% 65+ 80% 18% 2% 100% 25%
511 Who Oppose Plan Margin of Sampling Error: +/-3% Strongly Oppose Somewhat Oppose Not Sure Total Composition of Who Oppose Plan
All 86% 13% 1% 100% 100%
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And do you strongly or only somewhat oppose this plan? US Census Age Breakdowns 18-24 ** ** ** 100% 5% 25-29 ** ** ** 100% 4% 30-34 88% 12% 0% 100% 8% 35-39 92% 8% 0% 100% 8% 40-44 88% 12% 0% 100% 10% 45-49 93% 7% 0% 100% 11% 50-54 87% 12% 1% 100% 12% 55-59 92% 8% 0% 100% 10% 60-64 79% 18% 3% 100% 7% 65-69 87% 11% 2% 100% 9% 70-74 84% 14% 3% 100% 6% 75+ 70% 27% 2% 100% 9% <50 / 50+ 18-49 89% 11% 0% 100% 45% 50+ 84% 15% 2% 100% 55%
511 Who Oppose Plan Margin of Sampling Error: +/-3% Strongly Oppose Somewhat Oppose Not Sure Total Composition of Who Oppose Plan
All 86% 13% 1% 100% 100%
** Too few respondents of this type were interviewed for this data to be meaningful. Statement of Methodology: The following statement conforms to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls:How this poll was conducted: This SurveyUSA poll was conducted by telephone in the voice of a professional announcer. Respondent households were selected at random, using Random Digit Dialed (RDD) sample provided by Survey Sampling, of Fairfield CT. All respondents heard the questions asked identically. Within the report, you will find: the geography that was surveyed; the date(s) interviews were conducted and the news organization(s) that paid for the research. The number of respondents who answered each question and the margin of sampling error for each question are provided. Where necessary, responses were weighted according to age, gender, ethnic origin, geographical area and number of adults and number of voice telephone lines in the household, so that the sample would reflect the actual demographic proportions in the population, using most recent U.S.Census estimates. In theory, with the stated sample size, one can say with 95% certainty that the results would not vary by more than the stated margin of sampling error, in one direction or the other, had the entire universe of respondents been interviewed with complete accuracy. There are other possible sources of error in all surveys that may be more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. These include refusals to be interviewed, question wording and question order, weighting by demographic control data and the manner in which respondents are filtered (such as, determining who is a likely voter). It is difficult to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. Fieldwork for this survey was done by SurveyUSA of Verona, NJ.
© 2009 SurveyUSA - www.surveyusa.com
Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #15699 - Page 9