[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/17/art.healthcare.1117.gi.jpg caption="More and more Americans are saying health care is not the government's responsibility."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty
More and more Americans are saying health care is not the government's responsibility.
A new Gallup poll shows 50% of those surveyed say the federal government should not have to make sure that all Americans have health care coverage... while 47% say this is the government's job. This marks a big shift in attitudes from the past decade... and it's the first time since Gallup started tracking this question that more people are against the idea.
The reason for this shift is unknown... although it's possible that the current debate has increased Americans' skepticism about the role government could play in health care.
A poll by the Associated Press seems to back this up as well... it shows that Americans are worried about the hidden costs in reforming health care. Although most people agree that major changes are needed... the current Democratic bills are not getting strong support.
This poll suggests the public is now onto the fact that when it comes to these pieces of legislation, the devil is in the details.
Meanwhile - don't hold your breath for health care reform to happen any time soon. Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate won't rush the legislation... and that lawmakers can count on a lot of amendments.
McConnell says the only way to guarantee that all of the senators and the American people can really understand the bill is to –quote - "delay the process."
SO HERE'S THE QUESTION:
Should health care be govt’s responsibility?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Nick
Yes. The role of the government is to protect its citizens. This isn't just limited to military force. We have Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps. The nations around the world that have heavy government involvement in the health care system have the best results, with few exceptions. If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to protect people.
Jim in Canada
The mammogram decision says it all, cost before care. The government can control doctors' decisions simply by not covering procedures that can save lives. We see it in our care in Canada. Americans should be absolutely sure about the public option limitations and control before you let your representative vote yes rather than blindly agreeing just because it sounds good.
Ricardo in Cypress, Texas
Hell no. The government's responsibility is to provide opportunity and the tools needed to its people so they are able to achieve high-quality education, well-paid jobs, support their family and be successful by their own means and determination. But I guess we are expecting too much from our politicians in Washington.
Michael
It's one of the few things for which the government should definitely be responsible. It's right up there with infrastructure and national defense... Every other civilized country in the world correctly believes it is in everyone's best interest to have a healthy population. But here, you take a back seat to a green god named "dollar."
Denise in San Jose, California
This is why the Democrats are in such a hurry to pass this very bad bill. The longer we have to find out what is really in it, the less support they have for it. We all want reform, but not this. They need to take their time and pass a bill that is good for everyone. There is no rush to pass it, coverage wouldn't even start for another 5-7 years.