Keep government out of healthcare, poll finds

A majorityof voters say the federal government shouldn’t be involved in the business of healthcare, according to a Gallup survey released on Monday.

{mosads}The poll found that 56 percent say making sure people have health insurance shouldn’t be a government responsibility, against 42 who say that it should be.

Prior to 2008, federal involvement in healthcare enjoyed strong support, but the bitter Congressional fight to pass the Affordable Care Act, and the ensuing botched rollout, seems to have soured the public on the notion.

In 2012, 54 percent said they were against federal involvement, while 44 said they were in favor. In 2011, 50 percent said they favored government action, against 46 who were against.

Those who say the government doesn’t have a responsibility to guarantee citizens have healthcare has reached the highest point ever among Democrats and Independents.

A record 30 percent of Democrats say the government shouldn’t be involved in healthcare, and 55 percent of Independents now say the same. For Republicans, those against stand at 86 percent, down from 88 in 2012.

The Gallup survey of 1,039 adults was conducted between Nov. 7 and Nov. 10 and has a 4 percentage point margin of error.