Views On Health Care Tied To Income

By: Jennifer De Pinto
Topics: Poll Positions

According to the latest CBS News/New York Times Poll, views on what should happen to the nation's health care system are strongly tied to household income.

Americans with lower incomes want to see a major overhaul of the health care system in the U.S., greater government involvement, and more are willing than their higher-earning counterparts to pay more in taxes in order for all Americans to have health care coverage.

When asked their view of the current U.S. health care system, half of Americans earning less than $30,000 a year think there is so much wrong with the system that it needs to be completely rebuilt -- a higher percentage than any income group. Majorities of those earning more think fundamental changes to the system are needed but stop short of endorsing a totally rebuilt system.

?VIEWS OF THE U.S. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BY INCOME

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Minor changes	11%	17%	13%	13%
Fundamental changes	34%	61%	58%	55%
Completely rebuilt	50%	21%	29%	30%
Don't know	5%	1%	0%	2%

By more than 3 to 1, Americans on the lower end of the income scale think the government would do a better job than private insurance companies on providing medical coverage. Fewer than half of those with higher incomes think the government would do a better job.

?GOVT. VS. PRIVATE INSURERS ON PROVIDING MEDICAL COVERAGE

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Better job	61%	48%	45%	49%
Worse job	17%	36%	42%	39%
No different	2%	2%	3%	3%
Don't know	20%	14%	10%	9%

Still, majorities of all income groups do say the government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, with those earning less money even more likely to support that.

When presented with the option of a government-administered health insurance plan something like Medicare to compete with private health insurance companies, all income groups favor it. Eighty-one percent of those earning less than $30,000 back the idea, as do 68 percent of those earning $75,000 and higher.

?GOVT. HEALTH PLAN TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE INSURERS

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Favor	81%	78%	63%	68%
Oppose	10%	14%	31%	27%
Don't Know	9%	8%	6%	5%

There are also differences by income when it comes to whether the government should go as far as requiring all Americans to have health insurance (similar to auto insurance), as long as it provides financial help to those who can't afford it on their own. Fifty-seven percent of Americans earning less than $30,000 think the government should require this, while those earning more are divided.

?SHOULD GOVT. REQUIRE EVERYONE TO HAVE INSURANCE?

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Yes	57%	41%	46%	47%
No	26%	40%	43%	43%
Don't Know	17%	19%	11%	10%

While those at the lower end of the economic scale may be earning less, a majority of them are willing to pay more for everyone in the U.S. to have health insurance. Sixty-seven percent of Americans earning less than $30,000 would be willing to pay higher taxes so that all Americans would have health insurance they can't lose, compared to 55 percent of those earning $75,000 or higher. There is even less willingness among those with household incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 to pay more in taxes for universal coverage.

?WILLING TO PAY HIGHER TAXES FOR INSURANCE FOR ALL?

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Yes	67%	61%	47%	55%
No	27%	28%	47%	43%
Don't Know	6%	11%	6%	2%

QUALITY OF CARE AND COSTS

The level of satisfaction with the quality of one's own health care increases with household income. While majorities of all income groups report being at least somewhat satisfied with the quality of their own health care, just a third (35 percent) of those with incomes under $30,000 are very satisfied with their health care, compared to 60 percent of those earning $75,000 or more. Fewer than half of those in between report being very satisfied with the quality of care they receive.

?SATISFIED WITH QUALITY OF YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE…

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Very satisfied	35%	48%	46%	60%
Somewhat satisfied	31%	27%	35%	26%
Somewhat dissatisfied	8%	7%	4%	7%
Very dissatisfied	24%	16%	12%	5%
Don't Know	2%	2%	3%	2%

In addition, those with lower incomes are more likely to be very concerned about the health care costs they and their family might face in the coming years. Sixty percent of those earning less than $30,000 are very concerned, as are 55 percent of those incomes between $30,000-$50,000. Fewer of those with higher incomes report being very concerned.

?CONCERN ABOUT HEALTH CARE COSTS IN NEXT FEW YEARS

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Very concerned	60%	55%	44%	41%
Somewhat concerned	28%	37%	47%	41%
Not concerned	12%	8%	9%	16%
Don't Know	0%	0%	0%	2%

Cost has impacted care for some people. Four in 10 Americans earning less than $30,000 report having gone without medication they needed because they couldn't pay for it. A third (32 percent) of those earning $30,000-$50,000 also report that. Those earning more money are significantly less likely to have gone without medication because they couldn't afford for it

?NOT TAKEN MEDICATION BECAUSE COULDN'T AFFORD IT?

	<$30K	$30K-50k	$50K-75K	$75K+
Yes	42%	32%	16%	8%
No	58%	68%	84%	92%

The poll also finds that those with lower household incomes are more likely to be without out health insurance. Uninsured Americans are generally younger and lower income, more likely to have children under 18 and to be unmarried.

Read more from the CBS News/NY Times poll on health care

Jennifer De Pinto is manager of election and survey information for CBS News. Poll Positions is weekly Hotsheet feature on polling trends from the CBS News Survey and Polling Unit. Click here for more posts from the series.

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by cdegolier June 30, 2009 1:48 PM EDT: I have paid for my own health insurance since I was eighteen, I found a job that would offered health insurance while I was going to college, paid for that myself also (no loans, no aid). White middle class America doesn't qualify for aid. Out of the "50 million" uninsured, how many can afford it and don't want to pay, how many are illegal and how many have recently lost it do to being laid off or at any point during the year were not covered (yes, people between jobs and therefore insurance are counted in the "50 million" even if they are only without coverage for a few months.) Why should I have to pay extra, on top of what I pay monthly so that people who don't want to pay anything can have health insurance. Makes no sense. And does the grand idiot obama realize that if he forces all employers to offer health insurance he will face closures, companies will move overseas and not to mention the layoffs. Not every business, especially small can afford to offer health insurance and people who are employed at the business know that going in.; Reply to this comment


by texanforlogi June 30, 2009 10:12 AM EDT: I don't know where you people are getting the idea that people making under $30,000 a year aren't paying any taxes. This is simply not true.
I make under $30,000 a year, I support a disabled husband (who does NOT receive SS or medicare), and about 1/3 of my paycheck goes for taxes. My tax return is only a few hundred dollars. My daughter is an adult, so is not a dependent.
I definitely want a government health plan. My husband's medical bills run so high there is no money left over for my care. I'm sick and tired of hearing that low-income folks are deadbeats when the people making those judgments have no idea of what they are talking about.; Reply to this comment


by manny781 June 30, 2009 9:16 AM EDT: What many people don't realize is that the private sector is currently subsidizing Medicare and Medicaid. Everytime that the government makes cuts to their Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement levels, the private sector is charged the difference by the doctors/hospitals hence making the rates for private insurers go up. Common sense people, do you really think that doctors and hospitals are taking paycuts everytime the government wants to save money??
Also, I agree with the comment that people making under $30,000 don't truly pay taxes, they end up getting every dime back plus some so of course they are willing to pay more for government health insurance (more to them is still zero!) The rest of us will be paying to subsidize their free health care. These are the same people that don't mind spending $150 every few months for sneakers but they are unwilling to invest any money into their health.; Reply to this comment

by anti-global2 June 30, 2009 9:03 AM EDT

This article is simplifying a much more complicated situation. There are more then two view points based on income level.
First, there are many lower income people who want FREE healthcare, and do not feel they should have to pay at all because they have less money. It's funny though because many of these same people have computers, flat screen TVs and other luxuries, as they feel they deserve what others with higher incomes have. They are wrong, you deserve what you can afford and are not necessarily a victim because you are poor.
Second, there are many in all income levels who feel the system should be overhauled and the middle men cut out to make health care more affordable for all, not just the poor. This idea makes more sense to me as it would benifit people at all levels. The problem is many, especially on the right seem more concerned about cutting away insurance company profits then providing affordable coverage. The bigger problem is to do this you would need a govt' run system which would most likely cut down the quality of the care and would styme competition. Competition is what leads to breakthroughs in technology.
Third, some feel the health care system should be non-profit. While this sounds nice I have spoken to a few doctors I know and they all agree that if the money is not there they will just retire. My father's radiologist who is a great guy put it best. He said "i love what I do and I care about people, but to get where I am takes 70 and 80 hour weeks, time away from my family and involves high amounts of stress. I do this because I love it but I also do it for the money. If the money goes away so will I." He then went on to point out most Dr's are in a position where they could retire tomorrow. This would mean fewer quality doctors, fewer experts teaching in medical schools and lower quality care for all.
There is alot to think about. Maybe the people in the lower income levels need to take some of these factors into consideration, it will negatively affect them just like everyone else.

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by CitizenMikeM June 30, 2009 10:58 AM EDT: While I agree with most of what you said, I'm not sure if there a mass exodus of M.D.s from practice. Perhaps as an incentive to entice new candidates into the medical profession, a partial subsidization of their tuition in return for practice in particular fields would help to keep their ranks intact.


by sjc_1 July 2, 2009 2:15 AM EDT: Many doctors complain about malpractice insurance premiums, but then it comes back to insurance. Count awards are less than 1% of health care, but doctors can pay $50,000 per year for insurance. I think we see the problem on all sides and it is NOT capping awards. That will just make malpractice a cost of doing business and not an incentive to do a good job every time.


by maybe-maybenot June 30, 2009 2:23 AM EDT: The vast majority of all income levels are happy with their own health care. Even those under 30K have 66% satisfaction Yet, everyone is afraid of something that is not clearly explained by the data. And to solve it they think government competition with private industry will do the trick. If some one ever tells me my competitor is the federal government, I'm bailing. I can't borrow a couple of trillion from my neighbor's unborn grandchildren.; Reply to this comment

by sjc_1 June 29, 2009 10:03 PM EDT

"...to compete with private health insurance companies, all income groups favor it."

Bingo, we have found the issue that cuts across all income lines. Optional National Health Insurance where the public and private sectors compete to provide the best care at the lowest prices.

Reply to this comment


by rhs648 June 29, 2009 11:45 PM EDT: People who choose not to have health insurance are often willing to pay rediculous rates for cable television. Why isn't there competition between cable companies for our business? Typically, geographical areas such as cities and counties give exclusive control to a cable company for a fee. Wht not have a public option to provide competition?

by taxed01 June 29, 2009 9:33 PM EDT

Most of the people making below $30000 don't have to pay taxes if they are married and have kids. The EIC and Child Tax Credits wipe out their tax liability and the rest of us carry them. We would also have to carry their government health insurance too. Of course they say they would pay more taxes, they are the ones who wouldn't have to pay anything. The government plan would be just another "gimmi" for them.

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by rhs648 June 29, 2009 11:42 PM EDT: taxed01 - I was about to make these staements myself. Thank you for saving me the trouble.


by ianlou June 30, 2009 9:17 AM EDT: I agree, people who have children, regardless of their income, should have to pay more taxes, not less. Having children is expensive and I am tired of paying for other people's kids. That includes public schools. Make all schools private and make parents pay for every dime needed to fund them.

just kidding...


by democracy1 June 29, 2009 9:02 PM EDT: Is it really a surprise that people with less income who need to carefully budget their money and find that they get very little in return for the hard-earned money they've spent on insurance premiums, just might see that the current system is a fraud?

When the current health insurance paradigm costs an arm and a leg and the insurance company can play the runaround game, refusing to pay legitimate claims until people are too fed up to pursue it anymore, or the insurance companies are allowed to engage in the practice of "recission"--dropping people who have legitimate claims and who have faithfully paid their premiums for years...

Is this really a surprise?

The current system is broken.; Reply to this comment