New Survey Finds Bipartisan Support Among Americans for Key Elements of
AHIP Access Plan
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans believe access to health
care should be the top domestic priority when the new Congress convenes
next year, a new survey released today finds.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO )
The poll also signaled to lawmakers and state legislators that
Americans across the political spectrum would rally around the elements of
a detailed plan put forth by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) today
to provide access to more than 40 million Americans.
Conducted by Ayres, McHenry & Associates, Inc. and The Glover Park
Group on behalf of AHIP the survey found that 80 percent of adults want
Congress and state legislatures to do more to extend access to coverage.
While Americans express broad support for a stronger health care safety
net, a commanding majority of Americans favor reforms that build on the
current public-private system rather than implementing a new government-run
system.
"Americans across the political spectrum are saying that government
should take action to improve access to health care coverage, but they do
not support a one-size-fits-all approach," said Dr. Whitfield Ayres,
President of Ayres, McHenry & Associates. "Promoting access to health care
coverage is an issue Americans agree on regardless of party or ideology."
"Voters clearly want Congress to find a way to promote access and to
ensure the government devotes the resources necessary to help working
families get the coverage they need," said Joel Johnson, Partner with The
Glover Park Group.
The survey found strong support for key elements of the AHIP access
plan including strengthening the health care safety net, enabling all
consumers to purchase health insurance with pre-tax dollars, providing
financial assistance to help working families afford coverage, and
encouraging states to develop and implement access plans.
Highlights of the poll include:
* 77 percent of Americans support increasing funding for a health
insurance program for children from low-income families that would be
paid for by the federal and state governments.
* 69 percent support expanding the Medicaid program for the poor to cover
all adults, including single adults, who make less than the federal
poverty level.
* 65 percent support establishing a new tax-free health account for all
Americans which could be used to buy any type of private health
insurance.
* 69 percent support giving a federal tax deduction for money paid by
individuals to purchase private health insurance.
* 85 percent support giving a tax credit to any low- and moderate-income
parents who can show that their children are covered by health
insurance.
* 71 percent support providing incentive grants from the federal
government to encourage states to develop programs to provide health
insurance coverage for the uninsured.
* 63 percent support modifying the current system rather than replacing
the current system with a government-run health care system.
The full survey and a summary of findings are available at
http://www.ahipbelieves.com
America's Health Insurance Plans - Providing Health Benefits
to More Than 200 Million Americans
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
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Related links:
http://www.ahip.org
http://www.ahipbelieves.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Mohit Ghose of America's Health Insurance
Plans, +1-202-778-8494
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