Many Americans rate healthcare coverage good or excellent

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As the Senate begins what is expected to be a forced march to deal with contentious healthcare reform, there is something about which a significant number of Americans agree: 38% say healthcare coverage is good or excellent, the largest number in the nine years that Gallup has been polling on this question.

Gallup announced its findings this morning. The 38% figure is 12 points above last year’s, which indicates that more people have shifted their view and say they are happier with the healthcare system.

Still, there remains a widespread unhappiness with the cost of healthcare, but even in this area there has been an increase in satisfaction from 19% to 26%. This is the most positive rating since 28% said they were satisfied in 2001, Gallup said.

Meanwhile, Democrats today are expected to formally release details of the Senate $849-billion healthcare plan, which is expected to go for a procedural vote shortly. Full debate will begin after Thanksgiving.

-- Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal

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