HEALTH PLAN HEAVILY OPPOSED BY PUBLIC  - AT 6:44 P.M. ET:  It is remarkable to see Congressional Democrats plunge ahead with health "reform" in the face of massive public opposition.  Just how opposed is the public?  Consider this:

The new CNN poll like many others finds greater support (53% to 46%) for a "public option" than for the Senate Health Care Bill which just 36% support, and 61% oppose. The smart conclusion is that the Senate Bill would be more popular if it included a Public Option. But an even smarter question would be to ask why the overall effort is so unpopular.

The worst statistic in the poll is the 22% that believe they or their family would be better off if Health Care Reform passes. Nearly half (46%) believe reform will help some people just not them. That less than 1 in 4 believe this effort is good for their family represents a colossal failure of reform proponents to design a plan that helps people and then explains what it will do for a typical family.

And yet, the Senate may well pass a bill, despite public opinion.  It would then have to be reconciled with the House version.  Theoretically, if that reconciliation succeeds, a final bill can be passed by both houses.

Will the public then get on board, something that sometimes happens when a bill become law?  Impossible to say, but the fact is that support for "reform" has consistently declined over the months.

December 10, 2009