Three-quarters of Americans agree that the COVID-19 pandemic is a sign the US should adopt a universal health care system, according to a new survey.
The survey of 2,000 Americans, which was conducted by OnePoll, asked respondents about their opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic and how well they believe the US government has handled the crisis.
Respondents were also asked about their political affiliations and 74 percent of self-identified Republicans agreed the COVID-19 pandemic is a sign that the United States should move to a universal health care system – with 84 percent of self-identified Democrats also in agreement.
Perhaps a sign of these changing beliefs is that 76 percent of those surveyed were also in agreement that anyone who contracts COVID-19 should not be charged for their medical expenses.
And a further 81 percent of those polled agreed insurance companies should be required to cover all medical expenses for those who contract COVID-19.
This may be explained by the fact that 65 percent of respondents said they were worried about how they would pay for their medical expenses should they contract the novel coronavirus.
Eighty-two percent of respondents agreed that a one-time stimulus check of $1,200 is not enough to provide assistance and the government should be providing a stimulus check monthly until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
In terms of the unfolding unemployment crisis, 79 percent of those polled were also in agreement that the federal government should be doing more to protect people who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed said the federal government should provide more financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regarding mortgage and rent payments – 55 percent of respondents said they should be frozen during this time.
Sixty-three percent of respondents also said that the US government should require private student loan companies to freeze interest rates and payments.
Overall, however, 64 percent of those polled believe the US government has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well – with 33 percent reporting the government has handled the crisis “very well.”
Despite the fact that 62 percent of respondents believe President Trump, specifically, has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well – 31 percent of those surveyed also said he was unprepared when the crisis first started.
Seventy-two percent of those polled said they believed downsizing the global health security and biodefense section of the National Security Council in 2018 was a mistake on the part of the president.
When asked which locality they believe has handled the COVID-19 pandemic the best, 36 percent of respondents said their state governments come out on top, compared to only 26 percent of respondents who believe the federal government has handled the COVID-19 pandemic the best.
Top three things the US should do during COVID-19
- Require private student loan companies to freeze interest rates and payments: 63 percent
- Provide more financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic: 58 percent
- Freeze all rent/mortgage payments: 55 percent
Best responses to the COVID-19 pandemic according to respondents
- State governments: 36 percent
- Federal government: 26 percent
- Local/city governments: 21 percent