Public Support for National Health Insurance: Roles of Attitudes and Beliefs

Posted: 13 Jun 2007

See all articles by Kate Bundorf

Kate Bundorf

Duke University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Victor R. Fuchs

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: June 2007

Abstract

Despite numerous attempts to enact legislation throughout the 20th century, the U.S. is the only developed country without a system of national health insurance. Yet, public opinion polls over the last 20 years consistently find that a solid majority of Americans support national health insurance. Why does the U.S. lack a system of health insurance despite widespread public support for it? In this paper, we examine the relationship between public support for national health insurance and attitudes toward different roles of government and individual beliefs. We find that people who have favorable attitudes toward government economic intervention and government redistribution are more likely to favor national health insurance than those who have less favorable attitudes toward these roles of government. The most intense support for national health insurance is among those who have favorable attitudes toward both roles of government. Consistent with research about other social programs, we find that the beliefs regarding racial minorities as well as beliefs regarding individual control over life limit support for national health insurance in the U.S. On the other hand, negative beliefs regarding businesses are an important source of support for national health insurance.

Suggested Citation

Bundorf, Kate and Fuchs, Victor R., Public Support for National Health Insurance: Roles of Attitudes and Beliefs (June 2007). iHEA 2007 6th World Congress: Explorations in Health Economics Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=992956

Kate Bundorf (Contact Author)

Duke University

100 Fuqua Drive
Durham, NC 27708-0204
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Victor R. Fuchs

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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