Americans Split on Health Care as Moral Responsibility

(CBS/AP)

The latest CBS News/New York Times Poll, conducted September 19-23, finds that Americans divide on whether or not the federal government has a moral responsibility to guarantee health care for everyone: 47 percent say the government does, while 48 percent believe it does not.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Most age groups split on this question, with the exception of those age 65 and over. While seniors are eligible for Medicare -- a health program administered by the government – 55 percent of them do not think the government has a moral responsibility to guarantee health coverage for all Americans. Seniors also give Mr. Obama his lowest ratings on health care of any age group. Just 38 percent of them approve.

In terms of gender, half of women consider providing health care to everyone to be a moral responsibility, while 53 percent of men oppose that view.

As might be expected, there are differences along party and ideological lines. Solid majorities of Democrats (65 percent) and liberals (72 percent) believe providing health coverage to all Americans is the government's moral responsibility, while most Republicans (69 percent) and conservatives (68 percent) disagree. Fifty-three percent of independents do not view guaranteeing health coverage as the government's moral responsibility.

Also, one's own quality of care greatly impacts views on this question. Americans satisfied with the quality of health care they receive are less inclined to think the government should guarantee health insurance for everyone. Most who are dissatisfied believe the government has that moral obligation.