Poll Vault: On Health Care, 51% Fear Government More Than Insurance Companies
Posted by The Campaign on February 24, 2010 at 8:12 AM
The following memo was released today by Rasmussen looking at the American public's view of the government and private health plans: When it comes to health care decisions, 51% of the nation’s voters fear the federal government more than private insurance companies. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% hold the opposite view and fear the insurance companies more. Seven percent (7%) are not sure who they fear the most. Among those who have insurance, 53% fear the government more than insurance companies while 39% take the opposite view. Those without insurance fear the insurance companies more. Adults under 30 fear the insurance companies more while those in their 40s are evenly divided. However, a solid majority of those over 40 fear the government more. These findings help explain fears by some of a government "takeover" of health care under the reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. (Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. Not surprisingly, there is a huge partisan divide on this question. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Democrats fear private insurance companies more than government while 82% of Republicans hold the opposite view. As for those not affiliated with either major party, 53% fear government more. Most of those who attend church at least once a month fear the government more. Those who rarely or never attend church or religious services fear private insurance companies more. While 41% fear the insurance companies more than the government, just 25% agree with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that health insurance companies are "villains."
