Poll Shows California Residents Support Tax Increase To Fund Insurance Plan

Poll Shows California Residents Support Tax Increase To Fund Insurance Plan in Politics and Legislation

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and State House Speaker Fabio Nunez are backing a health insurance expansion bill that would provide coverage for the uninsured and require all residents obtain a health plan.

To fund the insurance expansion, the bill would raise the state tax on cigarettes by $2. But before the law can raise any taxes in California, the voters have to approve.

A recent poll found that residents support the tax increase in a two-to-one margin, reported the Sacramento Bee.

“What’s remarkable is the broad base of support for the general outlines of the plan,” said Mark DiCamillo, the field poll director.

DiCamillo also said the support is bipartisan — 74% of Democrats, 52% of Republicans, and 59% of independent voters in California support the tax increase.

“There are too many uninsured Americans on a regular basis, and too many who are underserved,” said Robert Chason, a California health care consultant. “The system is broken, and it’s time we fix it.”

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