Thomson Reuters poll: Most in US want public health option

Thu Dec 3, 2009 12:00am EST

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Most Americans would like to see a "public option" in health insurance reform but doubt anything Congress does will lower costs or improve care in the short term, according to a poll released on Thursday.

The survey of 2,999 households by Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(TRI.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) shows a public skeptical about the cost, quality and accessibility of medical care.

Just under 60 percent of those surveyed said they would like a public option as part of any final healthcare reform legislation, which Republicans and a few Democrats oppose.

Here are some of the results of the telephone survey of 2,999 households called from November 9-17 as part of the Thomson Reuters PULSE Healthcare Survey:

(More here.)