A new poll done by UW researchers suggests 49% of likely voters statewide are opposed to Initiative 1033 and 40% support the initiative with 10% undecided.
Among those surveyed in the Washington Poll who had already sent in their ballots, 56% said they voted “No” and 44% said they voted “Yes.”
Assuming Secretary of State Sam Reed’s prediction of 51% turnout, about 22% of voters in King County have already voted, and about 28% of voters in Snohomish County have already voted.
The poll showed 57% of respondents voting to “Approve” Referendum 71 and only 38% voting to “Reject” it.
The poll was based on interviews with 724 registered voters statewide, with a margin of error of 3.6%. Respondents were asked about Initiative 1033 first in each interview, meaning any priming effect, while unlikely, would have affected Referendum 71 results and not Initiative 1033 results.
These results constitute great news for supporters of state subsidized healthcare plans like the Basic Health Plan, which currently provides reduced cost health insurance for 103,687 low-income Washingtonians and children. Though, according to Health Care Authority estimates, that number could be reduced to 67,000 in 2010 at a cost of $234.16 per life, per month.
Passage of Initiative 1033 would almost surely mean further cuts to state subsidized programs like the Basic Health Plan. It would also mean long-term increases in healthcare costs to Washington taxpayers because (1) uninsured Washingtonians will be forced to visit emergency rooms for their medical needs, which is far more expensive than clinical visits, and (2) insurers negotiate with hospitals for better rates per procedure, and uninsured people have to pay the “ticket” price for procedures (which often means a difference of thousands of dollars). Again, those bills for uninsured Washingtonians are paid for by Washington taxpayers.
Posts Tagged ‘Tim Eyman’
New poll suggests 1033 race closer than expected
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Eyman to defend Initiative 1033 tonight
Monday, October 26th, 2009
Tim Eyman, 200 audience participants, broadcast to 125,000 households in Snohomish County – in one of the highest profile conversations in the region on this issue
“Civic Engagement,” a public affairs show hosted by DJ Wilson and broadcast on the Edmonds Community College cable channel 21/26, is organizing a ‘Town Hall-style’ forum on Initiative 1033. The event details are the following:
7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
TONIGHT
October 26th, 2009
Black Box Theater at Edmonds Community College
20000 68th Ave West
Lynnwood WA 98036
DJ Wilson, Managing Editor of healthcareWA, will interview Tim Eyman on Initiative 1033, his involvement in state politics, and the state of government today. AUDIENCE MEMBERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS.
DJ Wilson, who also serves as the President of the Edmonds City Council (Snohomish County’s second largest city), will press Eyman to defend Initiative 1033, particularly in light of the difficult state of local and state budgets.
Coming off of a strong forum two weeks prior on Referendum 71 , the Domestic Partnership Bill, “Civic Engagement” and healthcareWA are proud to be hosting another high profile discussion of statewide measures in Snohomish County. The Referendum 71 event was covered by every major local television outlet, and numerous local newspapers, including the Everett Herald. Watch KOMO 4 News coverage here.
The Black Box Theater, in which the Forum will be held, seats 200 people. Students and faculty are reserved 30 tickets. The remaining 170 seats are divided between advocates of the two sides of the issue. Tickets are free, but are required for entrance.
Political importance of Snohomish County:
The “Eyman initiatives,” from anti-discrimination laws (I-200) in 1998 to motor vehicle taxes (I-776) and performance audits (I-900), Snohomish County has been a strong indicator of election results on Eyman sponsored initiatives statewide.
In fact, 8 out of the 11 Eyman sponsored initiatives on the ballot statewide since 1998, Snohomish County has been within 2% points of the final statewide result, and within a range of 4% of the other 3. Public opinion in Snohomish County is a leading indicator of statewide electoral success.
For ticket information, call Jolee Cano at 425-361-2118 or email her at jolee@healthcareWA.com.
Read the full press release here.
Reject 71 campaign uses robo calls to reach voters
Friday, October 23rd, 2009Last night healthcareWA received this robo call from the Reject Referendum 71 campaign. Click the link to listen to the robo call.
Reject 71 Robo Call
healthcareWA sponsored a forum on Referendum 71 and the “Everything but Marriage Law” almost two weeks ago at Edmonds Community College.
On Monday healthcareWA will sponsor a forum on Initiative 1033 with Tim Eyman. For more information about this event, email Randy.