California HealthCare Foundation
Press Release
July 9, 2002
A survey released today by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) and The Field Institute finds that large majorities of registered California voters oppose making cuts to health care programs for low-income and disabled Californians…
A majority of voters support the basic tenets of the state’s Medi-Cal program. For example, 77 percent agree that government should provide basic medical coverage to low-income or disabled adults who can’t afford insurance. This proportion increases to 84 percent of voters when asked about government providing medical coverage to the children of low-income families.
When voters were asked whether they would favor or oppose eight possible tax increase proposals as a way for the state to avoid making major cutbacks in medical services to low-income Californians and the disabled, 94 percent support at least one of the eight tax options. Receiving the broadest support were a 5-cents-per-serving increase in state alcohol taxes (78 percent), a 50-cent-per-pack increase in tobacco taxes (74 percent), temporarily increasing the personal income tax rate of the state’s top income earners (over $130,000 or $260,000 for couples) (68 percent), and canceling the scheduled cuts in state motor vehicle registrations fees (53 percent).
On the other hand, just 28 percent of voters support temporarily increasing the state gasoline tax by 5 cents per gallon as a way to preclude major cutbacks in the Medi-Cal budget. In addition, just 34 percent favor temporarily increasing the personal income tax rate for individuals earning more than $37,000 and couples making more than $75,000 for this purpose. Voters oppose temporarily increasing state sales taxes by 1 percent to avoid Medi-Cal budget cuts by a 59 percent to 40 percent margin. Voters are somewhat more divided (50 percent opposed and 45 percent in favor) when asked about temporarily increasing state business income taxes to forestall major Medi-Cal cutbacks.
Comment: It is refreshing to see a survey that demonstrates strong public support for health care programs for those with the greatest need. In this poll, the support extends to a willingness to pay taxes to support these programs. And, furthermore, the strongest support is for sin taxes and progressive income taxes strongly weighted toward the high end.
The public seems to be getting it right, even if there is an element here of “tax the guy behind the tree.”