Published on Friday, December 18, 2009 by Huffington Post

Poll: Voters Reject Health Care Mandate Without Public Option, Medicare Buy-In

by Rachel Weiner

A new poll suggests that voters are not pleased by the idea of health insurance mandates without a public option or a Medicare expansion.

The recent poll commissioned by the PCCC found that one third of Democrats are less likely to vote in 2010 if the health care bill does not contain a public option. (Huff file photo)

Conducted by Research 2000 for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), the survey finds only 33 percent of likely voters favor a health care bill that does not include a public health insurance option and does not expand Medicare, but does require all Americans to get health insurance. Slightly more Democrats -- 37 percent -- favor the idea, while only 30 percent of Republicans and 31 percent of independents do.

Meanwhile, if the public option and Medicare buy-in are added, 58 percent of people support the idea. The number of Republican supporters drops to 22 percent, but independent support rises to 57 percent and Democratic support to a whopping 88 percent.

"This poll shows voters in full-blown revolt against the Senate bill," said PCCC co-founder Stephanie Taylor. "Only one-third of voters support mandates without a public option, while nearly two-thirds want the public option and Medicare expansion. This will be a disaster of epic proportions for Democrats in 2010 if it's not fixed -- fast."

Another recent poll commissioned by the PCCC found that one third of Democrats are less likely to vote in 2010 if the health care bill does not contain a public option.

© 2009 Huffington Post