
A majority of Americans prefer that Congress pass a Democrat-only health care bill that includes a public option over a bipartisan bill that does not, according to a new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll.
The poll found that over half the country would prefer Congress pass health legislation that includes "a strong public health insurance option," only supported by Democrats, over a bill with "no public option that has the support of Democrats and a handful of Republicans." This finding holds true for most Democrats and many independents. Eighty percent of Democrats and 47 percent of independents place greater importance on the achievement of a public option than on bipartisanship.
Other polls have found that a majority would prefer a bipartisan bill -- but they asked the question in isolation, without exploring the potential policy ramifications.