Survey: Two-thirds of La. voters against Obama health care reform

A majority of Louisiana voters say health care reform is necessary—but two-thirds are opposed to President Barack Obama’s plans. Sixty-two percent of people who were polled last week by Southern Media & Opinion Research Inc., oppose Obama’s reform proposals, while 31% favor the plans. Part of the reason may have to do with this: 80% of the 600 people polled say they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their current health care and 78% are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their current health insurance. “President Obama has been very critical of insurance companies,” says pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who conducted the survey at the request of state businesses concerned about health care reform. “But here in Louisiana, voters trust insurance companies far more than they trust President Obama.” Fifty-four percent of respondents say health-care reform is necessary, but 70% say they are unwilling to pay higher taxes for an overhaul of the system.