CASTLETON, Vt. -
A new poll shows about half of Vermonters support moving to a single-payer health care system.
The survey by the Castleton Polling Institute shows 52 percent favor a public-funded single-payer system; 30 percent are opposed and 17 percent are undecided. The support is slightly higher than a similar poll conducted last May.
The state is working on a transition to single-payer by 2017. Supporters say the effort will streamline health care delivery saving tens of millions of dollars. Instead of paying insurance premiums, Vermonters and employers would fund health care through taxes. The Castleton poll shows 43 percent support the idea of paying for a single-payer health care system through payroll taxes, while 36 percent oppose this notion and another 21 percent are not sure.
The Castleton pollsters also asked 620 people what they
think is the most important issue facing the state of Vermont today. Topping the list was the economy at 33 percent. Health
care was second and education third. Taxes came in fourth, tying with the
choice of "something else."
Click here for the full poll.
