This is how John Fund reports a CBS poll:
A startling 47% approved of changing Medicare from a program in which the government “pays doctors and hospitals for treating seniors” to a program in which the government “helps seniors purchase private health insurance.” Only 41% disagreed.
Really? What was the question?
In order to reduce the budget deficit, it has been proposed that Medicare should be changed from a program in which the government pays doctors and hospitals for treating seniors to a program in which the government helps seniors purchase private health insurance. Would you approve or disapprove of changing Medicare in this way?
Ok, that’s Ryan’s plan. However (you know it was coming), if the question was more specific, the poll mix shifts:
Medicare should remain as it is today, with a defined set of benefits for people over 65, OR Medicare should be changed so that people over 65 would receive a check or voucher from the government each year for a fixed amount they can use to shop for their own private health insurance policy.
When presented like that, a robust 65% majority of respondents said Medicare should remain unchanged, versus 34% who said it should be changed.
Wowee. I’m sure John Fund will report that one. Effing fraudster.
