Santa Monica, CA — Consumer Watchdog countered Senator Max Baucus’ (D-Mt) contention that the mandatory purchase of health insurance was popular with Americans by pointing to a poll showing that voters overwhelmingly reject requiring proof of private health insurance when they are told they might have to pay some of the premium costs.

Less than one in five voters (16%) support such a plan and nearly two-thirds (63%) were opposed when told insurers had no limit on how much they could charge. Only one-in-three (32%) supported the mandatory purchase plan even if insurers’ premiums were regulated.

Read the poll at the Campaign for Consumer Rights, a campaign affiliate of Consumer Watchdog.

Consumer Watchdog, a nationally recognized non-profit, non-partisan consumer advocacy group, praised Baucus’ efforts to:

* Open Medicare to those over 55
* Retain state regulation of insurance
* Provide all Americans a "public option" to the private insurance market

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