Survey: Californians Oppose Health Care for Illegal Aliens

http://www.nbc11.com/news/10726461/detail.html -
Survey: Californians Oppose Health Care For Undocumented Immigrants

POSTED: 2:36 pm PST January 11, 2007
UPDATED: 2:50 pm PST January 11, 2007


SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A new statewide survey released Thursday said Californians want guaranteed health care for everyone except undocumented immigrants, NBC11's Mike Luery reported.

The results of the study, released by the Survey and Policy Research Institute At San Jose State, are in sync with Arnold Schwarzenegger's new health plan.

"My solution is everyone in California must have health insurance," Schwarzenegger said. "If you can't afford it, the state will help you buy it, but you must be insured."


While most Californians like the idea of state guaranteed health insurance, it's a different story when it comes to covering undocumented immigrants.

"When we simply asked the question, 'How about including illegal immigrants?' we found that people do not believe that illegal immigrants should be included," said Survey and Policy Research Institute Director Phil Trounstine.

According to the telephone survey that polled 1,000 people, 60 percent of all Californians are opposed to health care for undocumented immigrants. In the Bay Area, 52 percent are opposed.

Republican Assembly Leader Mike Villines said Thursday he's not surprised.

"The mainstream Californian believes we should not reward illegal behavior," Villines said.

Schwarzenegger said he believes providing health care to all children regardless of their immigration status will relieve overcrowded emergency rooms and save the state money in the long run.

"In the absence of any other argument, he is to the left of where the public is on this question," Trounstine said.

Trounstine said the governor and Democrats have a big selling job to do if they want broad public support on providing health care to undocumented immigrants.

Researchers at San Jose State said they questioned both English and Spanish speakers during the first week of January.

More Resources:

Full Survey Results

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Trounstine said the governor and Democrats have a big selling job to do if they want broad public support on providing health care to undocumented immigrants.

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Darn right! The public is already upset that we pay for so many benefits the illegals get and now this???? If we had this they'd be flying over the border so fast our heads would spin. I can't put here my real thoughts it upsets me so much. :x

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 443990.htm

Posted on Fri, Jan. 12, 2007



Most don't want illegal immigrants in health plan, poll says

By Mike Zapler
MediaNews Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to cover illegal immigrants as part of his universal health care plan, but a new poll shows that a majority of Californians oppose that idea.

Only 37 percent of adults, and 32 percent of voters, say illegal immigrants should be included, according to the poll taken Jan. 2-6 by the Survey and Policy Research Institute at San Jose State University. However, 52 percent of adults, and 50 percent of voters, say the government should guarantee health insurance for everyone, as opposed to relying on employers or individuals to provide coverage.

The results are a mixed bag for the Republican governor, who this week unveiled a sweeping universal health care proposal. The plan would force most businesses to cover their workers or pay 4 percent of payroll into a state fund; require doctors and hospitals to pay 2 and 4 percent of their revenue to the state, in return for getting higher reimbursements for treating the poor and disabled; and mandate that insurance companies accept all customers regardless of their medical history.

The governor would also extend coverage to illegal immigrants and their children, an idea Republicans overwhelmingly reject and a majority of residents overall oppose, according to the poll. Schwarzenegger says undocumented immigrants get treatment anyway at emergency rooms, which are legally bound to provide care to everyone. He says insuring them would be far less costly.

``This is a very sensitive issue,'' Schwarzenegger said this week. ``So what I'm trying to figure out is, how do we do it cheaper than what we are doing right now?''

People may be receptive to that argument, but the governor will have to convince them, said Philip J. Trounstine, the institute's director.

``If Schwarzenegger and the Democrats want to have mass public opinion on their side, they're going to have to make that argument widely,'' Trounstine said, noting that by a 2-1 ratio Californians favor granting legal residency to undocumented immigrants. ``People in California are not anti-immigrant.'' Republicans say the plan would make the state a magnet for illegal immigrants, putting an even bigger burden on state finances.