[Pictured above: A long line at a Scottish Pharmacy]

The political left continues to push for a government-run, single-payer health care system in the United States. “Medicare For All” legislation is pending in Congress, while the Democrat-controlled Washington State Legislature has passed legislation to explore a single-payer system for the state. (here)

Scott Rasmussen is a respected national pollster. His organization recently did multiple polls of 1,000 registered U.S. voters on their views of our health care delivery system. The results are revealing, especially in the face of ongoing efforts to completely change the system. (here)

When asked to rate the U.S. health care system, 48 percent of voters said it is excellent or good, 31 percent said it’s fair, and 19 percent rate it as poor. Overall, 71 percent of voters believe the health care they receive is excellent or good. Even 66 percent of those who believe the health care system is badly broken rate their care as good or excellent.

In other words, the majority of Americans polled believe they are now receiving good care, in spite of their views of the delivery system.

Through existing laws and regulations, the government controls the vast majority of health care delivery in the U.S. Yet, 45 percent of those polled believe we now have a free market in health care. This may be wishful thinking, but on some intellectual level, Americans understand that the free market is the best solution for providing more choices and controlling costs.

U.S. politicians should be working toward less government involvement in our health care delivery system and more actions that enhance options for patients. Universal health insurance, through a single-payer system, in no way guarantees timely access to care. Over 70 percent of Americans are happy with the health care they receive. The political left should understand this fact and give voters what they want – more health care choices at less cost through a free market system.