1. 1 September 2008 300 North Lee Street, Suite 400 · Alexandria, Virginia 22314 · 703.684.3325 · FAX 703.684.9295 Public Opinion on Coverage for the Uninsured Presented to The Alliance for Health Reform Gary A. Ferguson, Senior Vice President

2. 2 Feeling Thermometer: Health Care 100 0 o o Americans have a very positive view of their own health care coverage. They also have relatively warm feelings toward the uninsured. Perceptions of the term universal health care coverage are driven by partisanship. GOP IND DEM 30 50 63 Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

3. 3 Now I would like to read you a list of financial concerns that some people have said worry or concern them. Please listen as I read the list and tell me which one of these worries or concerns you the most Health care remains an economic security issue. More than one in four Americans express concern about their ability to pay for health care benefits or that they might lose their health benefits. 26% Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

4. 4 Most Important Health Care Issues for the President and Congress to Address I would now like to read to you several issues related to health care and have you tell me which one you think is most important for the next President and Congress to address. (2007) (43%) (11%) (12%) (19%) (8%) #1 issue across partisan divide GOP – 27% IND – 42% DEM – 65% Working Women – 60% Sub. Women – 56% East – 54% IND Women – 49% Employer provided coverage – 49% 30-54 – 47% Undecided Presidential Vote – 43% Next looming issue in terms of health care reform and economic stability has declined significantly Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

5. 5 Do you think it is the responsibility of the Federal government to: The responsibility of the federal government in the health care debate is clearly driven by partisanship and voters perception of the role of government. Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

6. 6 VOTERS SAY THAT REFORMS ARE NECESSARY.

7. 7 View of the Health Care System OverallKeep what is good, but major change needed Suburban Women – 68% Employer Provided Insurance – 59% Purchase Own – 56% No Insurance – 42% Uninsured Pool – 50% No Insurance 41% Degree of Change GOP IND DEM Minor Change 38% 21% 8% Major Change 49% 55% 62% Rebuild 9% 23% 30% Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

8. 8 View of Coverage for the UninsuredOverwhelming sentiment that major change is needed Dems – 84% IND – 65% GOP – 43% Uninsured Pool – 72% Employer Provided Insurance - 63% Purchase Own Insurance – 66% No Insurance – 74% Undecided Presidential Vote – 57% Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

9. 9 Total Favor Total Oppose Net Favor Net Favor Employer Provided Insurance Net Favor Purchase Own Insurance Net Favor Uninsured Pool Net Favor GOP Net Favor IND Net Favor DEM Allow small businesses and the self-employed to purchase health insurance through any organization or association to increase their purchasing power. 87%8%79%84%81% 82%81%76% Offer tax benefits for those who purchase their own health insurance equal to the tax benefits offered to those with employer-provided coverage. 82%13%69%70%76%74%70%71%67% Expand Medicaid, the government program providing health care coverage for poor Americans to cover more of those with lower incomes. 68%28%41%38%27%51%7%36%76% Require all large employers to purchase coverage for their employees or to pay into a government fund to subsidize coverage for the uninsured. 68%28%40%38%32%44%11%33%70% Require all Americans to have health care coverage and assist those who need help to purchase that coverage. 64%32% 28%22%36%3%25%63% Expand government to operate a public insurance plan similar to Medicare that could be purchased by anyone instead of a private insurance plan. 63%32%31%28%24%45%-2%31%60% Require only children to have health care coverage and assist those families who need help to purchase that coverage. 57%39%18%22%7%23%11%21% I would now like to read to you several elements of different reforms that would lead to all Americans having health care coverage or at least significantly reduce the number of uninsured and have you tell me whether you favor or oppose each. Two elements of reform score extremely well across the partisan divide and across coverage classifications. The remaining elements are acceptable to all but Republicans. Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

10. 10 How important is it that any reforms to health care allow people to keep their current employer-based coverage? Voters say that retaining employer-based coverage is a critical element of any health care reform. Employer Provided – 68% Uninsured Pool – 61% Purchase Own – 56% McCain Voters – 65% Obama Voters – 58% Undecided – 67% Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%

11. 11 CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING THIS ISSUE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.

12. 12 Shortly after taking office, how important is it that the next President and Congress handle the issue of health care coverage for the 47 million uninsured? 83% believe immediate action is required of the next President and Congress to address coverage for the uninsured. Uninsured Pool – 62% Retired Women – 62% IND Voters – 49% Suburban Women – 61% Undecided Presidential Voters – 58% 83% Source: American Viewpoint for the Federation of American Hospitals; February 2008 N = 1200 Registered Voters Margin of Error = ±2.8%