By Tom Johnson

Jul 20, 2009 9:47am

Health Care Push Hurting the President’s Popularity?

ABC News along with the Washington Post are out with a poll today looking into President Obama's standing 6 months into his term.  His overall approval rating is 59% with 37% disapproving.  His approval rating is 6 points lower than where it stood one month ago.  Among the major issues that Obama has taken on is reforming the nation's ailing system of health care.  Where does the public stand on his approach to overhauling health care?  Right now 49% of Americans approve of the President's plans.  54% of Americans approve of the the legislation that is making its way through Congress. 

So where does President Obama's popularity fit into history?  Here is an excerpt from our website's piece on the poll:  "Obama is well off the top-tier of popularity at six months. In polls since Harry Truman, five presidents have been better-rated at about this point (Truman in the 80s; Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and the first president Bush in the 70s.) Four have been similarly rated as Obama is now – Nixon, Carter, Reagan and George W. Bush; two lower, Ford and Clinton. Six-month marks clearly don't predict long-term outcomes."

User Comments

I strongly support Obama for the health care.
It is good news for millions of Americans. No more treatment denials from the private run insurance companies. I am a pharmacist; I know how many people are denied daily for the prescribed medicine because it is expensive. If people have another choice of having Government run health insurance program, then there is competition. The denial of treatment will not exist in future. The future is going to be bright for uninsured as well as insured with denial of health care.

Posted by: jimjus99 | July 20, 2009, 10:29 am 10:29 am

Polls are fickle….Obama is doing the right thing on healthcare and the economy. The problem is America, as always, is impatient….Also, it would be interesting to note that while Obama’s popularity may have sagged a bit Republicans have made zero progress in increasing their popularity..

Posted by: indy_voter | July 20, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am

All he is trying to do is put the private insurance companies out of business and make everyone dependant on the government. This will be the biggest mistake the Untited States has ever allowed to happen. I do not want an elected official or Health care CZAR one of many telling me what procedure I can have or when I can have it.

Posted by: NO OBAMA CARE | July 20, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am

down with obama because it will bankrupt the usa

Posted by: obama isatyrant | July 20, 2009, 11:41 am 11:41 am

It remains disturbing (from the standpoint of a Canadian) to see so many apologists for Big Pharma and Big Medico posting opposition to universal health care. Basically you’re saying that Americans want CHOICE!
So, many Americans have the choice to DIE because they don’t have access to services – either because they don’t have medical insurance, or they’re being denied services by the insurance companies with which they deal.
Take the money that is being spent on invading sovereign nations halfway around the world (and in which other nations, like Canada, are stuck with the clean-up operations), and spend it on your own populace.
Forget all of this crap. A previous posting said “I do not want an elected official or Health care CZAR one of many telling me what procedure I can have or when I can have it.”
How about not having it at all, buddy, because you can’t afford it, or you are going to be denied this procedure by your insurer. Your particular bleat might undergo some transformation when something really nasty, potentially mortal, is staring you in the face.

Posted by: Spud Lite | July 20, 2009, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

This multi National President is turning this country into a Socialistic State. His shooting from the hip will NOT CUT IT. If he stayed in DC where he should be instead of flying all over the country and world (how much has that cost the tax payers)and listened to the common people we might be in better shape than we are now. Who is he to tell the CEO of a major corporation to step down?
Federally funded health care is SOCIALISM no matter which way we look at it.

Posted by: Keith | July 20, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

I think MR. Obama is doing a fine job. Maybe the
Congress &Senators are scared to work together for
the good of all .WE need health care just like what they
got.Give Obama a chance and lets get the USA back
in the game.Lets pass a good health care package
that will help all.

Posted by: Darryl | July 20, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm

First of all, the grammar in your article needs correction: Bush was not a president of the 70s. Second, ABC is always spinning Obama positively unlike former President Bush – what happened to equal treatment? When the news media take sides, who loses? The citizens of the “United States of America.” Please, tell the WHOLE TRUTH, nothing but the truth, so help you, God! (It’s unlikely you will get a good sampling of truth if you only poll those who voted for the liberal ticket – as we all know, Washington Post and ABC News have a liberal agenda).

Posted by: Can't fool me! | July 20, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

I support Obama trying to improve our healthcare system. I am sure the only ones saying that Obamas oush is hurting him are the ones that are paying to have this lie repeated. Who might these liers be? AMA, Insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and republican morons trying to protect their weathy friends in the healthcare industry that rips us all off any chance they get.

Posted by: Mars Chemistry | July 20, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

Most people that cry socialism don;t know the first thing about what socialism really is. Most that cry changing healthcare will make us go broke are fear mongering, unintelligent republicans who fear Obama suceeding at making healthcare work for everyome.

Posted by: Mars Chemistry | July 20, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm

Health Care is the problem not President Obama.
Insurance companies force the health care system to accept what they are willing to pay. I was told that a procedure would cost me $2,000 then had it imediately adjusted to $1,500 just because I had insurance. But it would have cost someone without insurance $2,000 which is totally unfair.
We have a lot of people who have no coverage either because they are too poor, or just don’t believe they will ever need it, who pay nothing when they use our hospitals.
It’s past time that this country protect its prosperous citizens from going bankrupt to get health care!

Posted by: Wally | July 20, 2009, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

Press on with your health-care initiatives, President Obama! Is in not a bit strange–there’s always health-benefit funds readily available for all military families–i.e., member of their family in active service; life-time health benefits for all branches of the government–civil service,retired military, etc. — all paid by the US tax payer. But health benefits too expensive for the average tax payer.

Posted by: Michael Kinzel | July 20, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

I agree with the person who said Health Care is the PROBLEM not Obama. For years we have known that the manufacturers of cars were spending more on Health Care than on steel. Many of the the companies that have come to the U.S. can thrive for they hire younger workers who have fewer health problems than the long time workers and those who have retired with pensions and health care benefits. Our car companies cannot compete.

Posted by: Fran Zorn | July 20, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

If you have no health care you have no wealth. Health represents wealth-without it you are already dead. You cannot create wealth and help your fellow man because when you are sick all you do is think about your pain/ and fear whats going to happen in days ahead. There should be basic health care to all us citizens. Even if it is 2 free visits per year which includes reduced cost of medication for some.After that charge clients based on their income or other factors(like smokers,non smokers etc.) In this country we do not think ALL US citizens are important. Other countries think differently. Are we the Land of the free and the home of the brave or are we democrats,repulicans,rich,poor ,necessary or unnessary citizens.

Posted by: LOWES4321 | July 20, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

Where’s the details on how all of this would work? I want to see the small print.

Posted by: ddg | July 20, 2009, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm

What’s the rush?
If Pres. Obama’s Plan is so good let the American public have the details!
Not sound bits.
Have every Congressional Representative and Senator sign-off that they have read the complete Bill and then have them explain to us the pros and cons. In other words ask them to do their homework and the job we sent them to Washington for.
What are the real costs?
Where in the world is there an example of a similar plans success?
And a thousand other questions should be answered before we make a change of this magnitude.
God Bless America and guide us in these times.

Posted by: Slow down | July 20, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm

Taking benefits from sick and disable people in order to reform health care for the rest of the people and balance the government budget I don’t know how it is help to anyone. Doctors already started to ask money for any referral and most of specialist are denying the patients even before the reform take place. Thanks a lot.

Posted by: jina | July 20, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

It amazes me how many people comment on health care as if they’re experts when it’s obvious they haven’t bothered to learn that even the insurance companies say the present system is unsustainable and the only foreign system they know of is Canada – and all they know are the alleged “waits” some people experience, with no clue about the waits in America: I waited three months in Maryland for rotator cuff surgery. Do your research people! Be able to quote dollar costs, etc.

Posted by: The_Mick | July 20, 2009, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm

How many who are commenting on the HC issue have visited an emergency room in CA, lately? The “poor” line the corridors, receive excellent medical care and pay nothing. My RN friends care for them everyday in the ICU, CCU and every ward in the hospitals. Of course, they are mostly illegal aliens and NOT Americans. This is what is bankrupting CA’s health care system, and I imagine the story is the same throughout this great nation. Deport all illegals and the HC system will have a chance to mend itself. As for uninsured Americans, particularly the working poor, I do believe they should be covered under a government program where their acceptance is not determined by race or ethnicity – that means all white citizens, middle class and poor Americans, should be included with all the other U.S. citizens.

Posted by: Betty Williams | July 20, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

I am flippin mad at this administration. Every answer to every problem is more and bigger government programs. The Federal government is the worst run “company” in the country. What business can honestly say they can reconstruct themselves by piling up the biggest deficits in history? I work very hard and every year my benefits, and pay get cut a little more while the illegals and welfare recipiants get a free ride. When Congress puts themselves off of their own exclusive health plan, then we might really be getting somewhere. Are there any true Americans left who can see we are losing the great country we love? Honestly, most people only care now about American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. I honestly believe the USA will cease to exist in the near future with leadership like we have.

Posted by: America_the_Lost | July 21, 2009, 12:26 am 12:26 am

ABC News Polls are not worth a hill of beans because of their far left views.The only news agency I trust is FOX News.They don’t water down what is going on,and don’t Kiss up to to Obama and the Democrat socialist party.My only hope is that on the next elections we can get rid of those Loones that are causing so many of the problems we have today.Thats the only hope America has today.If something is not done to remove those idiots this country is going down the drain.

Posted by: Willy S | July 21, 2009, 8:48 am 8:48 am

In response to indy_voter:
“All he is trying to do is put the private insurance companies out of business and make everyone dependant on the government.”
Obama is going to force private insurance companies to be more competitive, thus provide the American people with less expensive health care and more options.
————————————–
In response to Spud Lite:
“Who is he to tell the CEO of a major corporation to step down?
Federally funded health care is SOCIALISM no matter which way we look at it.”
He is the president. Also those CEO’s were using the country’s borrowed money for selfish expenditures. Federally funded health care would be socialism if it were the only option, however it’s not.
———————————–
In response to ddg:
“What’s the rush?”
That’s an absurd question. Health care is one of the largest problems with the American system and you want this issue delayed? Obama is rushing them, however he did extend the time to sign off and left it open for change to make sure it is done and done correctly.
———————————
In response to Slow Down:
“Taking benefits from sick and disable people in order to reform health care for the rest of the people and balance the government budget I don’t know how it is help to anyone.”
It is those exact people he wants to help. More importantly, the majority of American SHOULD be helped first, doesn’t that just flat out make sense?
—————————————
Health Care is broken. America’s health care is by far one of the lowest. How ridiculous is that? President Obama needs to carry out long term projects that will help America succeed forever, not just now. If he submits to the naysayers who haven’t even researched as heavily as his team has, then it will drive this country into more turmoil then it already is in.
100% guarantee or your money back.

Posted by: kj | July 21, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am

If the Presidents plan is so good why are the members of Congress refusing to take it for their own healthcare coverage?
What’s good for the American public should be good enough for our Representatives?
Slow down and lets get all the facts

Posted by: Slow Down | July 21, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

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