Tulsans like health change

Most of those polled favor cost-control changes, but not a public option government plan.

Tulsans favor changes to the nation's health-care system, but not if it involves federally run or mandated insurance coverage, results of the latest Oklahoma Poll suggest.

Seventy percent of the 405 likely Tulsa voters surveyed Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 said major structural changes to the health-care system are necessary to control costs. Fifty-nine percent said major changes are needed to make sure all Americans have health insurance.

Only 41 percent, though, said the government should guarantee health insurance for all citizens, and only 39 percent favored the so-called "public option" - a government insurance plan similar to Medicare for those who cannot afford private insurance.

"Everybody needs health care," said Dr. Clyde Barton, a retired physician who was among those surveyed. "I am not smart enough to know how to do it, but I do not think the government is the answer.

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