OPINION

Poll: 58 percent want Medicare kept as is

Townhall Staff
Townhall Staff  |  Jun 13, 2011
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Democrats trumpeted new poll results Monday that show strong opposition to Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) Medicare proposal — though the same poll also says voters aren’t interested in hearing about healthcare during the presidential election.

According to the new CBS News poll, 31 percent of Americans support converting Medicare into a sort of voucher program. Fifty-eight percent said they support keeping the program’s existing structure intact.

Ryan’s plan would eliminate the traditional single-payer Medicare system and replace it with vouchers that could be used in the private insurance market.

According to the poll, 53 percent of Americans believe Medicare needs “fundamental changes.” Another 27 percent said only minor changes are necessary. In every age group younger than 65, more than half of all respondents said the program needs major changes.