Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Most Arkansans are satisfied with the quality of health care they receive and their current health plan, and a majority oppose a government-run system, poll results released today show.

The poll, commissioned by Talk Business Quarterly magazine, showed 83 percent of respondents said they were at least somewhat satisfied with the health care provided to them and their families. Eighty percent said they were at least somewhat satisfied with their current health insurance plan.

Two-thirds of respondents said they would prefer a health insurance system where most Americans get their health care coverage through a private insurance provider, while 18 percent would prefer government-provided coverage and 15 percent said they did not know.

Fifty-four percent said they oppose the government being involved in health care insurance altogether, while 42 percent said they would consider a proposal that allows them to keep their private insurance if they are happy with it and only choose a government run option if they are unhappy with their current plan. Four percent were undecided or did not know.

Wilson Research Associates of Washington, D.C., conducted telephone interviews with 600 likely Arkansas voters Oct. 12-15. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percent.

Democratic poll strategist Robert McLarty of The Markham Group and Republican political strategist Clint Reed of The Political Firm composed the questions.