On a conference call with reporters just now, the Communications Workers of America union announced a new poll showing widespread national opposition to the proposed taxes on high-end health insurance plans int he Senate health care bill — and support for raising taxes on the rich instead.
The poll surveyed likely 2010 voters across ten states, all of which could have high-stakes House or Senate races: Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana and North Dakota. Seven of these states voted for Barack Obama in 2008, but in 2004 eight of them had voted for George W. Bush. It was conducted by the Democratic firm of Anzalone Liszt.
Respondents opposed the tax on high-cost plans by 70%-19%, and by a 63%-22% margin said they would be less likely to vote for their member of Congress if that person voted for it. By contrast, respondents favored a tax increase on individuals making over half a million dollars per year, and households making over a million, by a 54%-42% margin, and said by a margin of 49%-43% that they were more likely to vote for a member of Congress who supported it.
The poll showed the numbers being very similar across all regions. “The fact that these are red states,” said pollster John Anzalone, was an important message. “Support for an alternative for what’s currently in the bill is certainly in there.”
