Deep down, Utahns want health care reform bills

Copyright 2009 Deseret News

Take partisan politics out of the congressional health care reform debate and most Utahns support the basic elements of Democratic bills moving in the House and Senate, a new poll shows.

But identify the bills as sponsored and favored by Democrats, and Utahns are solidly against the measures, according to a survey conducted for the Deseret News and KSL-TV by Dan Jones & Associates.

In an effort to see just what Utahns do support in health care reform, Jones asked four questions on the major points of the majority Democrats' and President Barack Obama's health care proposals, including a public option alternative to compete with private insurance in some cases.

On each of the four elements, at least 50 percent of Utahns said they either "strongly" or "somewhat" support those ideas.

But ask if they favor or oppose the Democrats' health care bill that has passed the House, and two thirds (66 percent) oppose the measure.

(While the House has passed a health care reform bill, the Senate may debate its bill until the new year).

Jones, who has taught political science at the university level and polled for 30 years, says the new survey shows "that people want comprehensive health care, they believe it is a fundamental right, but they are not that knowledgeable about the specific plans or the current bills."

The poll results are strikingly partisan.

For example:

86 percent of Republicans said they want existing health conditions to be covered if you move into a new insurance plan.

51 percent of Republicans said those without health insurance should be covered.

43 percent of Republicans believe almost all Americans should be required to have health insurance.

42 percent of Republicans believe there should be some kind of public option available.

But only 8 percent of Utah Republicans said they support the House Democratic bill, which would do all of those things.

A solid 81 percent of Utah Republicans said they oppose that Democratic bill.

"This really shows how the word 'Democratic' is a cue in Utah," said Kelly Patterson, a Brigham Young University political science professor.