Poll: 80% Oppose Public Health Care For Illegals

Friday, June 12, 2009 2:16 PM

By: David A. Patten

An overwhelming 80 percent of U.S. voters oppose proposals for government-backed health-care plans for illegal immigrants, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released Friday.

That compares to only 11 percent who think providing illegal workers with a government health-care plan is a good idea.

The strong opposition to health-care coverage for illegals, based on a national poll of 1,000 likely voters, comes amidst ongoing negotiations over the proposed health-care reform package now working its way through Congress.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 10 million illegal immigrants in the United States lack health insurance. That's about 22 percent of the 46 million people in America who are without insurance.

American voters continue to strongly favor the idea that all Americans should have quality health-care coverage, however. Sixty-five percent say that every American should have access to quality health care. Only 22 percent disagree.

Support for providing health-care coverage for illegals is sharply divided along party lines. According to Rasmussen, nine out of 10 likely voters who describe themselves as conservative are against granting health-care coverage to illegals.

About half of those who identify themselves as liberal think providing health-care to undocumented workers is a good idea.

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