A recent Pennsylvania poll, known as the Patient Poll, reveals that respondents in that state continue to express interest in universal health care but not in paying for it. Opposition to the higher taxes required to pay for such care has risen from previous polls.
The survey, conducted in January 2010 by the Institute for Good Medicine, asked, “Do you believe that this country should enact some form of universal health care?” Those who responded that they did numbered 65.7 percent, up from 63.4 percent in July 2008.
The poll also asked, “Would you support increased taxes that you pay so that a universal health care program could be created?” In the most recent results, 27 percent said yes compared to 26.8 percent in July 2008, while 49.2 percent said no and 23.8 percent were not sure. 2008 results included, 41.8 percent who answered no and 31.4 percent who were not sure.
The poll shows the gap which exists between what Americans say they want regarding heath care and what they are willing to pay for, a problem that has repeatedly surfaced in the history of American health care.