Attitudes towards single payer healthcare are evolving, Merritt Hawkins survey shows
Survey was sent to 70,000 physicians via email in early August, and 1,033 physicians responded.
A new survey by physician search firm Merritt Hawkins shows that attitudes regarding single payer healthcare may be changing.
The survey was sent to 70,000 physicians via email in early August, and 1,033 physicians responded.
Results indicate 42 percent "strongly support" a single payer health care system, and another 14 percent said they "somewhat" support it. Meanwhile, 35 percent responded that they "strongly oppose" a single payer system, and another six percent said they are "somewhat oppose" it.
[Also: Senate Democrats don't fall for fake single payer amendment]
That means more than half, 56 percent are at least somewhat in favor of single payer while less than half, or 41 percent, at least somewhat oppose it.
The results are a notable turnaround from a 2008 survey which showed 58 percent of physicians opposed single payer at that time while 42 percent supported it.
"Physicians appear to have evolved on single payer," said Travis Singleton, senior vice president of Merritt Hawkins. "Whether they are enthusiastic about it, are merely resigned to it or are just seeking clarity, single payer is a concept many physicians appear to be embracing."
Twitter: @BethJSanborn
