Most people still are misinformed on health care......

[Skjellyfetti]

Six months after President Barack Obama signed the landmark health care law, the nation still doesn't really know what's in it.

More than half of Americans mistakenly believe the overhaul will raise taxes for most people this year, an Associated Press poll finds. But that would be true only if most people were devoted to indoor tanning, which got hit with a sales tax.

Many who wanted the health care system to be overhauled don't realize that some provisions they cared about actually did make it in. And about a quarter of supporters don't understand that something hardly anyone wanted didn't make it: They mistakenly say the law will set up panels of bureaucrats to make decisions about people's care — what critics labeled "death panels."

The uncertainty and confusion amount to a dismal verdict for the Obama administration's campaign to win over public opinion. Before the final votes in Congress, Obama personally assured wavering Democrats he'd take the case to the American people after the law passed. But it hasn't worked. And in the final stretch before the midterm elections Republicans are united by their call for repeal.

"I'm insecure about a document that was as big as the health care bill and wonder if anybody understands exactly what's in it," said Diann Kelley, 61, a retiree from Marietta, Ga., who says she's "somewhat opposed" to the law. The AP poll was conducted by Stanford University with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

"The main fear is the cost," explained Kelley. "I'm not sure that we can afford to take on something quite as massive as the health care reform with the economy the way it is."

It's not that Kelley has a negative opinion about everything in the law. The prohibition on health insurance companies denying coverage to people because of pre-existing medical conditions "is really a fine idea," she said.

The poll's questions included a true-or-false quiz on 19 items, some of which are in the law and others not. People were also asked how confident they were about their answers.

For the most part, majorities picked the right answers. But a sizable number also got things wrong. And right or wrong, people were unsure of their answers. Two-thirds or more were uncertain about their responses on eight of nine core provisions of the legislation.

Analysis of the findings indicated a split as far as the impact of accurate knowledge, between Democrats and independents on one side and Republicans on the other.

Accurate knowledge of the law made no difference in overwhelming opposition from Republicans.

Michael Cagnina, 33, a web developer from Powhatan, Va., summed it up: "It just doesn't make me feel comfortable that the government is going to give people free health care but ultimately the government's money is my money."

However, for Democrats and independents, the more accurate knowledge people had of the bill, the more they liked it.

"Among Democrats and independents, the lack of knowledge is suppressing public approval of the bill," said Stanford political science professor Jon Krosnick, who directed the university's participation. "Although the president and others have done a great deal to educate people about what is in this bill, the process has not been particularly successful."

The White House is staging an event Wednesday to mark the six-month anniversary of Obama signing the bill. The president and top administration officials will be joined by people from around the country who are already benefiting from such popular provisions as allowing adult children to remain on their parents' insurance until they reach 26.

Will it make a difference?

The poll shows Obama has yet to find the right wavelength for communicating even information that's relatively straightforward. One question stood out as an example:

People were asked whether the Congressional Budget Office had ruled that the legislation would probably increase the government's debt, or whether the nonpartisan budget analysts found that the health law would reduce red ink. (Correct answer: CBO found it would reduce the federal deficit over time.)

But 81 percent in the survey got the wrong answer, including a majorities of both supporters and opponents — even though Obama seldom misses a chance to remind audiences of CBO's favorable report.

Overall, three out of ten in the poll said they favored the law, while four in ten said they were opposed. Another 30 percent were neutral. The findings on support and opposition differ from another recent AP poll, but the two surveys cannot be compared because they were drawn up and carried out differently.

The other survey, an AP-GfK political poll, found 41 percent supporting the bill and 46 percent opposing it, with only 12 percent neutral.

The new survey was conducted Aug. 31 to Sept. 7, and involved interviews with 1,251 randomly chosen adults nationwide. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

The survey was conducted by Knowledge Networks, which first chose people for the study using randomly generated telephone numbers and home addresses. Once people were selected to participate, they were interviewed online. Participants without Internet access were provided it for free.

Stanford University's participation in the project was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... gD9ICHR1O2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[YoUDeeMan]

Have our Congress folks read the bills yet or are they still pushing through more pork?

[Gil Dobie]

Have our Congress folks read the bills yet or are they still pushing through more pork?

[ATrain]

Not only do most Americans not know what is in the health care bill, most legislators don't either.

[kalm]

Have our Congress folks read the bills yet or are they still pushing through more pork?

They're too busy campaigning to worry about the details. That's why they have lobbyists and staffers - to read and write.

[native]

About 40% of the people who believe Obamacare is good for the country are indeed misinformed.

The 60% or so who favor repeal are quite well informed.

[89Hen]

Six months after President Barack Obama signed the landmark health care law, the congress still doesn't really know what's in it.

FIFY

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

About 40% of the people who believe Obamacare is good for the country are indeed misinformed.

The 60% or so who favor repeal are quite well informed.

Its 37% who are misinformed.................

[JohnStOnge]

Government should not be involved in trying to insure that people have health care. And in general Government should not be involved in making sure that the needs of individuals should be taken care of. Government should provide infrastructure and a general organization of society in order to allow individuals to seek satisfaction of their own needs. If they fail, they fail. Taking care of them at that point should be left to voluntary private charity.

And the idea that government can become involved in making sure tha tthe needs of individuals are taken care of without substantial cost...cost that will eventually suck this country dry...is ridiculous. It really is.

[Skjellyfetti]

Government should not be involved in trying to insure that people have health care. And in general Government should not be involved in making sure that the needs of individuals should be taken care of. Government should provide infrastructure and a general organization of society in order to allow individuals to seek satisfaction of their own needs. If they fail, they fail. Taking care of them at that point should be left to voluntary private charity.

And the idea that government can become involved in making sure tha tthe needs of individuals are taken care of without substantial cost...cost that will eventually suck this country dry...is ridiculous. It really is.

Why do you believe the government should provide infrastructure?

[kalm]

Government should not be involved in trying to insure that people have health care. And in general Government should not be involved in making sure that the needs of individuals should be taken care of. Government should provide infrastructure and a general organization of society in order to allow individuals to seek satisfaction of their own needs. If they fail, they fail. Taking care of them at that point should be left to voluntary private charity.

And the idea that government can become involved in making sure tha tthe needs of individuals are taken care of without substantial cost...cost that will eventually suck this country dry...is ridiculous. It really is.

Why do you believe the government should provide infrastructure?

That was exactly my question.

Down with the socialist roads, airport, fire department, police, military, schools...

If cost is the problem, why do we spend more on healthcare than other industrialized nations with nationalized care? Why is the overhead for medicare less than for-profit insurance companies.

Share holders + bloated CEO salaries + profit at least is = government bureaucratic costs.

[Col Hogan]

Government should not be involved in trying to insure that people have health care. And in general Government should not be involved in making sure that the needs of individuals should be taken care of. Government should provide infrastructure and a general organization of society in order to allow individuals to seek satisfaction of their own needs. If they fail, they fail. Taking care of them at that point should be left to voluntary private charity.

And the idea that government can become involved in making sure tha tthe needs of individuals are taken care of without substantial cost...cost that will eventually suck this country dry...is ridiculous. It really is.

Why do you believe the government should provide infrastructure?

jelly..my problem with you, and those of your ilk, are that when you post those words "the government" you normally mean the Federal Government...

Government, as a whole, is needed and necessary...it's just the Constitution (I know, you'd rather forget that nasty little document) outlines what is the Federal Responsibility, and what is a state responsibility...

Interstate Commerce is the often abused reason for the Federal government to do almost anything. The Founding Fathers never in their wildest dreams saw that one coming, yet today it is used and abused as a reason. I can see the Federal government contributing to infrastructure maintenance to support Interstate commerce, but the basic responsiibility to provide that infrastructure belongs as the state/local level (which is how the Interstate Highway system is maintained today)...

Education is not a federal responsibility, nor is health care...

[kalm]

Why do you believe the government should provide infrastructure?

jelly..my problem with you, and those of your ilk, are that when you post those words "the government" you normally mean the Federal Government...

Government, as a whole, is needed and necessary...it's just the Constitution (I know, you'd rather forget that nasty little document) outlines what is the Federal Responsibility, and what is a state responsibility...

Interstate Commerce is the often abused reason for the Federal government to do almost anything. The Founding Fathers never in their wildest dreams saw that one coming, yet today it is used and abused as a reason. I can see the Federal government contributing to infrastructure maintenance to support Interstate commerce, but the basic responsiibility to provide that infrastructure belongs as the state/local level (which is how the Interstate Highway system is maintained today)...

Education is not a federal responsibility, nor is health care...

That's fine, but it's in the best interests of each state's citizens that neither should be for-profit either.

[Col Hogan]

jelly..my problem with you, and those of your ilk, are that when you post those words "the government" you normally mean the Federal Government...

Government, as a whole, is needed and necessary...it's just the Constitution (I know, you'd rather forget that nasty little document) outlines what is the Federal Responsibility, and what is a state responsibility...

Interstate Commerce is the often abused reason for the Federal government to do almost anything. The Founding Fathers never in their wildest dreams saw that one coming, yet today it is used and abused as a reason. I can see the Federal government contributing to infrastructure maintenance to support Interstate commerce, but the basic responsiibility to provide that infrastructure belongs as the state/local level (which is how the Interstate Highway system is maintained today)...

Education is not a federal responsibility, nor is health care...

That's fine, but it's in the best interests of each state's citizens that neither should be for-profit either.

Says who?????

[native]

jelly..my problem with you, and those of your ilk, are that when you post those words "the government" you normally mean the Federal Government...

Government, as a whole, is needed and necessary...it's just the Constitution (I know, you'd rather forget that nasty little document) outlines what is the Federal Responsibility, and what is a state responsibility...

Interstate Commerce is the often abused reason for the Federal government to do almost anything. The Founding Fathers never in their wildest dreams saw that one coming, yet today it is used and abused as a reason. I can see the Federal government contributing to infrastructure maintenance to support Interstate commerce, but the basic responsiibility to provide that infrastructure belongs as the state/local level (which is how the Interstate Highway system is maintained today)...

Education is not a federal responsibility, nor is health care...

That's fine, but it's in the best interests of each state's citizens that neither should be for-profit either.

That is not for you or Obama to decide, kalm. Trying to do so without a Constitutional amendment is criminal.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Not one single person on the face of the earth is completely informed and knows the whole health care reform bill. Now that we have that out of the way...........

I know enough about it to know that I don't like it and can only hope we wake up from this nightmare and repeal it.

[kalm]

That's fine, but it's in the best interests of each state's citizens that neither should be for-profit either.

That is not for you or Obama to decide, kalm. Trying to do so without a Constitutional amendment is criminal.

Jeebus, I said fine to Col's states rights deal, and I think Obamacare is a turd as well. But not everything needs to be for-profit and as I stated in my previous post there are several examples of how a state can provide non-profit healthcare for less money with similar outcomes.

[native]

That is not for you or Obama to decide, kalm. Trying to do so without a Constitutional amendment is criminal.

Jeebus, I said fine to Col's states rights deal, and I think Obamacare is a turd as well. But not everything needs to be for-profit and as I stated in my previous post there are several examples of how a state can provide non-profit healthcare for less money with similar outcomes.

+2 -2

There is nothing wrong with non-profits!

Just don't use the government to try to eliminate the private sector. Let people vote with their own pocketbooks.

[Purple For Life]

It's as I saw somewhere--we don't need health care reform, we need insurance reform. Our health care, for the most part, is pretty sweet in this country (AFAIK). It's insurance bureaucracy that screws things up.

Just my two cents.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

It's as I saw somewhere--we don't need health care reform, we need insurance reform. Our health care, for the most part, is pretty sweet in this country (AFAIK). It's insurance bureaucracy that screws things up.

Just my two cents.

I agree, and I am seeing this mess first hand right now. My wife had a baby a while back and some complications a week after delivery which caused an emergency room visit followed by an ICU visit in the same hospital. The only problems I have with the whole deal is making the insurance and the hospital work together to get it resolved correctly.(The insurance company was not contracted with said hospital but it was emergent care.) The health care was great, but damn the paper work straight to hell and the mess in trying to line up all the different bills, deducibles and charges.

[Purple For Life]

It's as I saw somewhere--we don't need health care reform, we need insurance reform. Our health care, for the most part, is pretty sweet in this country (AFAIK). It's insurance bureaucracy that screws things up.

Just my two cents.

I agree, and I am seeing this mess first hand right now. My wife had a baby a while back and some complications a week after delivery which caused an emergency room visit followed by an ICU visit in the same hospital. The only problems I have with the whole deal is making the insurance and the hospital work together to get it resolved correctly.(The insurance company was not contracted with said hospital but it was emergent care.) The health care was great, but damn the paper work straight to hell and the mess in trying to line up all the different bills, deducibles and charges.

Exactly. We get so bogged down in pointless, unnecessary paperwork that does nothing but create headaches and stress that it takes away from the positive experience of getting (hopefully) good health care.

Glad your wife and baby are alright. (I assume they are, right?)

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I agree, and I am seeing this mess first hand right now. My wife had a baby a while back and some complications a week after delivery which caused an emergency room visit followed by an ICU visit in the same hospital. The only problems I have with the whole deal is making the insurance and the hospital work together to get it resolved correctly.(The insurance company was not contracted with said hospital but it was emergent care.) The health care was great, but damn the paper work straight to hell and the mess in trying to line up all the different bills, deducibles and charges.

Exactly. We get so bogged down in pointless, unnecessary paperwork that does nothing but create headaches and stress that it takes away from the positive experience of getting (hopefully) good health care.

Glad your wife and baby are alright. (I assume they are, right?)

They are good to go, all is well on that front, thanks for asking

The paperwork front, not so good. It is now 2 1/2 months after the visit and the bills are not resolved. I am happy to pay my part, but I am not paying a dime until they both get on the same page and get it all straightened out.

[Purple For Life]

Exactly. We get so bogged down in pointless, unnecessary paperwork that does nothing but create headaches and stress that it takes away from the positive experience of getting (hopefully) good health care.

Glad your wife and baby are alright. (I assume they are, right?)

They are good to go, all is well on that front, thanks for asking

The paperwork front, not so good. It is now 2 1/2 months after the visit and the bills are not resolved. I am happy to pay my part, but I am not paying a dime until they both get on the same page and get it all straightened out.

See, that's the thing. I think either side you're on on this issue, we can agree the massive stupid paperwork and bickering between insurance and providers needs to just stop already.

[Col Hogan]

They are good to go, all is well on that front, thanks for asking

The paperwork front, not so good. It is now 2 1/2 months after the visit and the bills are not resolved. I am happy to pay my part, but I am not paying a dime until they both get on the same page and get it all straightened out.

See, that's the thing. I think either side you're on on this issue, we can agree the massive stupid paperwork and bickering between insurance and providers needs to just stop already.

And in what is almost certainly a first, I agree with PFL that insurance paperwork needs to be streamlined...

We will most likely disagree on the way to fix the paperwork mess...because it's not a federal responsibility and Congress should not be involved...

But...it is something we can agree on...FIX THE STUPID SYSTEM!!!

[kalm]

They are good to go, all is well on that front, thanks for asking

The paperwork front, not so good. It is now 2 1/2 months after the visit and the bills are not resolved. I am happy to pay my part, but I am not paying a dime until they both get on the same page and get it all straightened out.

See, that's the thing. I think either side you're on on this issue, we can agree the massive stupid paperwork and bickering between insurance and providers needs to just stop already.

Nailed it, and that's why single payer is an interesting option.