New Poll Warns Daschle, Obama: Mandatory Health Insurance Big Loser With Public; Voters Want Return on Stem Cell Research

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Less than 15% of U.S. voters support, and 53% oppose, a proposal pushed by health insurers requiring every American to provide proof of private health insurance or face tax penalties or other fines, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by Consumer Watchdog, also found that by just under a two-to-one margin voters favor requiring a return on taxpayer-funded research that leads to new medical treatments or prescription drugs.

Download the poll here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/healthcarepollmemo.pdf. The poll is based on 840 interviews among registered voters in the United States conducted on December 4 thru December 7, 2008. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points at the 95% level of confidence.

President-elect Obama opposed policies requiring all Americans to buy private health insurance coverage, the so-called "individual mandate," as a candidate. Senator Tom Daschle left open the possibility of his support for the approach in his book, "Critical," under the pretense that he is "not willing to sacrifice worthy improvements on the altar of perfection." Unlike plans pushed by health insurers, Daschle's proposal importantly would give Americans access to a public insurance program "modeled after Medicare."

Overall, 40% of voters say they are "strongly" opposed to mandating that "every American show proof that they have health insurance coverage or face tax penalties." Less than 15% say they would support it. Another 31% are undecided. Opposition is also strongest in the West (61% oppose; 16% favor), North Central states (54% oppose; 16% favor), the South (51% oppose; 13% favor) and in the Northeast (45% oppose; 18% favor). Download a detailed breakdown of the poll returns here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/healthcarepolltabs.pdf

"With the cost of health insurance coverage for a family topping $12,500 a year its no wonder Americans overwhelmingly oppose a plan that requires them to buy coverage or face penalties. When voters are told they will have to reach into their own pocket to pay for health insurance they quickly turn against proposals requiring them to buy from insurance companies that are unrestrained in how much they can charge," said Jerry Flanagan, Health Care Policy Director for Consumer Watchdog.

Read a recent letter Consumer Watchdog sent to President-elect Obama detailing the policy concerns with the individual mandate: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=24046

California's debate over health care reform collapsed based on popular opposition to mandatory insurance. A January 2008 poll by Consumer Watchdog's campaign affiliate, the Campaign for Consumer Rights, found that only 16% of California voters support such a plan. Download the January 2008 California poll here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/hcpoll.pdf. The California legislature refused to pass a measure supported by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders which would have required middle-class Californians to buy insurance regardless of its cost without regulating what insurers can charge for coverage, and with no guarantee that essential services would be covered. According to a recent poll by the Harvard School of Public Health, only 37% of those impacted by the individual mandate in Massachusetts -- the only state with such a requirement in place -- support it.

Voters Favor Providing a Return on Taxpayers' Investment for Any New Treatments or Prescription Drugs Developed By Taxpayer-Funded Research

By just under a two-to-one margin Americans favor requiring a return on taxpayer-funded research that leads to new medical treatments or prescription drugs. The issue is particularly important as President-elect Obama is proposing doubling research funding from the National Institutes of Health. He is also expected to end the Bush Administration's ban on federal fund of most embryonic stem cell research.

"California's $6 billion stem cell research program which provides for a payback to taxpayers should serve as a model for federally funded research," said John M. Simpson, Stem Cell Project Director. "When taxpayers fund research they deserve affordable access to what they've paid for. California's stem cell program demonstrates this works."

37% of voters approve of this proposal, while only 21% are opposed. In addition, those who "strongly" favor the proposal outpace "strong" opposition by 12 points (28% strong favor; 16% strong oppose). 42% remain undecided. Support passes the 40% mark among a number of critical subgroups including voters who earn over $75K a year (48%), voters ages 55 to 64 (45%), voters in the West (44%), Northeasterners (42%) and college graduates (42%).

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: John McCain For The New Hampshire Union Leader: "U.S. Needs Comprehensive, Free-Market Health Care Reform"

"My reforms will make the entire health care system responsive to the needs of the American family and are built on the pursuit of three goals: paying only for quality medical care, having insurance choices that are diverse and responsive to individual needs, and restoring our sense of personal responsibility. -- Sen. John McCain

Excerpts from "U.S. Needs Comprehensive, Free-Market Health Care Reform"
By John McCain
The New Hampshire Union Leader
December 28, 2007

We have an approaching perfect storm in health care, and no one seems to be watching the clouds gather.

More families are without health insurance as premiums increase beyond the affordability of our citizens and their employers. Our safety net programs of Medicare and Medicaid are headed to financial meltdown and draining dollars from critical programs such as education. Our companies cannot continue to compete outside the country because health care costs are so much higher in the United States.

Who among the candidates is speaking honestly to the American people about the problem with the American health care system? Democratic presidential candidates are not telling you these truths. They are running the same old playbook: promise "universal coverage" and everything will be fine.

I offer a genuinely conservative vision for health care reform, which preserves the most essential value of American lives -- freedom.

We should not attempt to substitute government coercion for the right of individuals to decide what is best for them. Our citizens should not pay for the collective sins of a failed health care system. We must use the tools that have served us so well in the past -- competition, American ingenuity and personal responsibility.

My reforms will make the entire health care system responsive to the needs of the American family and are built on the pursuit of three goals: paying only for quality medical care, having insurance choices that are diverse and responsive to individual needs, and restoring our sense of personal responsibility.

Along with changing the practice of medicine by our health professionals, as a nation we must recognize and encourage personal responsibility for health prevention and promotion. We have an epidemic of obesity. Diabetes and high blood pressure will limit and shorten the lives of too many in the next generation. We must again teach the value of good nutrition and exercise to children and parents alike.

While we reform the system and rein in costs, we need to expand access to care to those who have already been squeezed out.

We need innovative insurance options that belong to policy-holders and move with you to new a new job or a new city. We will know we've been successful when you can fire your insurance company, rather than the other way around.

And we need to reform the tax system to allow individuals to deduct the cost of insurance to help level the playing field. In the process, we should make tax credits available for those who cannot afford insurance.

We can build a health care system that is more responsive to our needs and is delivered to more people at lower cost. The engine of our prosperity and progress has always been our freedom and the sense of responsibility for and control of our own destiny that freedom requires. These trusted and time-tested truths will work in health care reform.

Read Full Article: John McCain in the Union Leader: "U.S. Needs Comprehensive, Free-Market Health Care Reform"

Prominent Georgia Republican Leaders Join Team Rudy

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee today announced additional endorsements from prominent Georgia Republican leaders. Joining the Giuliani campaign are State Senator John Wiles, former State Senator Chuck Clay and Stefan Passantino, a counselor to former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.

These Republican leaders will work to expand Mayor Giuliani’s campaign in Georgia and help lead the Mayor to a victory in the state’s February 5th primary.

“From his record of cutting taxes in New York City to his vision for keeping the country safe from international threats and ending illegal immigration, Rudy is the candidate who has been tested and is most ready to lead our country,” said Senator Wiles. “Mayor Giuliani is the leader Georgians are looking for in their next President.”

Today’s endorsers join a strong and growing Georgia team, including State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, and the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, Glenn Richardson.

Passantino will also serve as Honorary Co-Chair of Georgia Lawyers for Rudy.

Senator John Wiles:

Wiles represents the northwest portion of Cobb County and is the Chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee and a member of the Higher Education, State Institutions and Property and Judiciary Committees. He was recently appointed a Deputy Majority Whip for the Republican Caucus by Senate leadership and Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee of Appropriations.

Wiles served in the State House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. During that time, he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, as well as a Deputy Whip for the House Republican Caucus. He was elected by his colleagues as Chair of the Cobb County Legislative Delegation.

Charles “Chuck” Clay:

Clay is the former Chairman of the Republican Party of Georgia and a former Georgia State Senator. He began his public service career as a Cobb County District Attorney and also served as a Cobb County Commissioner. He was elected to the Georgia State Senate and served as the Senate’s Minority Leader.

Clay served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Georgia during George W. Bush’s campaign for President. He remains active in public policy and legislative issues.

Stefan Passantino:

Passantino, a partner at McKenna Long & Aldridge, serves as head of the firm’s political law team. He has worked with former Speakers of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and J. Dennis Hastert, U.S. Representative Roy Blunt and former U.S. Representative JC Watts. In addition, Passantino serves as General Counsel to corporate entities formed by former Speaker Gingrich and former Congressman Watts.

Prior to joining McKenna Long & Aldridge, Stefan worked as an associate for a New York law firm and as a Federal Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Herbert F. Murray.

Stefan has been recognized as one of “Georgia’s Most Influential People” in the March 2006 and 2007 issues of James Magazine.

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 ANNOUNCES LOUISIANA STEERING COMMITTEE

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced its Louisiana Steering Committee, which includes former Governor Buddy Roemer and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

"When looking at the critical issues America faces, from national security to wasteful spending to judicial confirmations, John McCain is the candidate with the best combination of experience and courage needed to lead at this crucial time," said Governor Roemer. "He has been involved in every major foreign policy matter in this country in the last 30 years, and he can beat Hillary Clinton. He is exactly what our Party and our country needs. I am proud to support him, and look forward to seeing Louisiana nominate John McCain on January 22nd."

John McCain thanked Governor Roemer and the steering committee members, stating, "I am grateful for Buddy's support and the support of the rest of the steering committee. Every day on the campaign trail, Americans are responding to my plans for a strong national defense, lower taxes, limited government and an end to wasteful spending. I am proud to receive the same response in Louisiana and look forward to working with the committee."

Governor Buddy Roemer served as governor of Louisiana from 1988 to 1992, and prior to that he served in the United States Congress from 1981 to 1988.

LOUISIANA STEERING COMMITTEE
Jay Batt
Joseph Cao
Dianne Christopher
Jim Donelon
Fenn French
Julie Murphy
Murray Nelson
Gov. Buddy Roemer
Jock Scott
Bryan Wagner

The Louisiana Republican Party today announced that the Louisiana Republican Caucuses will be held on January 22nd.