Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members Data Collected by Alan Newman Research Report Prepared by Samuel Gager and Joanne Binette
Copyright © 2007 AARP Knowledge Management 601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049 http://www.aarp.org/research/ Reprinting with Permission AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have
independence, choice, and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and
society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP
Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in
Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators;
and our website,www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is our affiliated charity that providessecurity, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from
thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.Acknowledgements
AARP staff from the California State Office, State Affairs, and Knowledge
Management contributed to the design and implementation of this study. Special
thanks go to Darry Sragow and Glen Griztner of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.
Thanks also go to AARP staff including Casey Young, California State Office; Van
Ellet and JoAnn Lamphere, State Affairs; Rachelle Cummins, Terri Guengerich,
Jennifer Sauer, Darlene Matthews, and Jennifer Leslie, Knowledge Management who
assisted with survey design and report preparation. Additional thanks go to Mike
Schuster, Office of General Counsel, for his review of the report. John Fries of Alan
Newman Research, Inc. insured a timely and high quality survey. Joanne Binette and
Terri Guengerich, AARP Knowledge Management, managed all aspects of the project.
Joanne Binette and Samuel Gager co-wrote the report. For more information, contact
Joanne Binette at (202) 434-6303. AARP Members in California Support State Health Care Reform
At the time of this report, only three weeks remain in the 2007 legislative session. The
health care reform proposals developed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as
state legislative leaders, are awaiting action by the Legislature. Both proposals would
increase access to health care coverage and the quality of care. An AARP poll was
conducted to help inform policymakers about how AARP members feel about the need
for health care reform.
The AARP poll of 802 members in California shows that health care reform is members’
top legislative priority.The poll also shows strong support for broad health care reform--two-thirds strongly agree that all Californians should have access to quality, affordable
health care.

The poll clearly demonstrates strong support for immediate action on health care reform
in the state. Two-thirds of AARP members believe it is important that the Governor and
State Legislature pass a health care reform bill this year, and many will be closely
monitoring the vote on health care reform. In fact, many members show a strong
correlation between this issue and how they will view their respective legislators--six in
ten are unlikely to re-elect legislators who do not pass a health care reform bill this year.
In addition, a significant number of members are unlikely to vote for an extension of term
limits for legislators if a health care reform bill is not enacted.
The majority of AARP members in California have problems affording their health care
expenses and many are concerned about being able to get access to quality, affordable
health care for themselves and their family. Considering that four in five AARP
members believe that making health care affordable and accessible should be a top or
high priority, the survey indicates that now is the time for California Legislators to pass a
health care reform bill that ensures all Californians have affordable, quality health care.Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 1 Key Findings
The number one legislative priority for California’s AARP members is making health
care more affordable and accessible. About half of AARP members in the state say that
it is their top legislative priority and another one in three say it is a high priority for them.California AARP Members’ Legislative Priorities (N=802) 14%18%36%38%46%31%36%42%46%34%38%34%18%13%13%7%4%7%**4%3%3%**0%20%40%60%80%100%Reforming the prison systemRelieving traffic congestionImproving the quality of educationProtecting our water supplyMaking health care affordable andaccessibleTop PriorityHigh PriorityMedium PriorityLow PriorityNot a Priority* Represents 2% or lessHealth Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 2 Two-thirds of AARP members
in the state of California
strongly agree that all
Californians should have
access to quality, affordable
health care.
All Californians Should Have Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care (N=802) Not sure/Refused2%Strongly disagree3%Somewhat disagree4%Neither agree nor disagree5%Somewhat agree21%Strongly agree65%
Over half of AARP members
in California say affording
their health care expenses can
be a problem, with 20 percent
citing it as a major problem.
Although affording health care
expenses is not a problem for
almost half of survey
respondents, this could be
explained by the fact that most
people age 65 and older have
Medicare coverage. Being Able to Afford Health Care Expenses (N=802) 45%34%20%0%20%40%60%80%100%Not a problemMinor problemMajor problem Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 3 Fully half of AARP members
in California are either
extremely or very concerned
about being able to get access
to quality, affordable health
care in the future for
themselves and their family.Concern About Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care in the Future (N = 802) Not sure/Refused1%Not at all concerned11%Not very concerned14%Somewhat
concerned24%Very concerned24%Extremely concerned26%
Two-thirds of AARP members
in California say that it is
important for the Governor
and the State Legislature to
pass a health care reform this
year.Importance of Passing a Health Care Reform Bill This Year* (N=802) Not sure/Refused6%Not at all important6%Not very important6%Somewhat important18%Very important33%Extremely important32% *Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 4 Fully six in ten AARP
members in California say
they would not be likely to re-
elect a legislator who voted to
adjourn this year’s session
before passing health care
reform legislation.Likelihood of Voting to Re-elect a Legislator Who Voted to Adjourn Before Passing Health Care Reform Legislation* (N=802) Not sure/Refused8%Not at all likely33%Not very likely26%Somewhat likely20%Very likely8%Extremely likely6% *Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
More than six in ten AARP
members in California say
they would not be likely to
vote for a ballot measure to
extend term limits for
legislators if they were unable
to pass health care reform this
year.Likelihood of Voting for Extending the Amount of Time a Legislator Can Serve if Health Care Reform Fails to Pass (N=802) Not sure/Refused7%Not at all likely45%Not very likely18%Somewhat likely13%Very likely9%Extremely likely8% Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 5 Methodology
AARP commissioned Alan Newman Research, Inc. to conduct a telephone survey of
AARP members age 50+ in the State of California. The survey was conducted between
August 19 and 23, 2007, and total of 802 interviews were completed.1 A sample of thissize has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.2
Interviews took place between 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., with some additional calling
done between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If necessary, up to 10 call attempts per telephone
number were made to reach an eligible respondent. All numbers were called at multiple
times of the day as well as days of the week to maximize each resident’s opportunity for
inclusion in the study.
Survey responses were weighted to reflect the actual distribution of age and gender for
AARP members in California. The number of AARP members in California as of July
31, 2007 was 3,283,624. Weighted responses to all survey questions are in the attached
annotated questionnaire.1 The response rate is 20 percent and the cooperation rate is 50 percent. The response rate is Response Rate 3 andthe cooperation rate is Cooperation Rate 3 (AAPOR, 2007).2 This means that in 95 out of 100 samples of this size, the results obtained in the sample would be within ± 3.5percentage points of the results obtained had everyone in the population been interviewed.Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 6 Demographics (N=802 AARP Members in California Age 50+) 5%4%13%77%6%6%7%18%34%35%7%93%38%15%21%48%52%26%44%26%6%85%0%20%40%60%80%100%Seldom or neverAbout half of the timeMost of the timeAlwaysVoting Frequency______OtherBlack/African AmericanWhite/CaucasianRace ________________Hispanic/LatinoOtherLiberalModerateConservativePolitical Views________NoYesHealthcare coverage ____>$50k$35k - $50k<$35kHousehold income ____FemaleMaleGender ______________75+60-7450-59Age _________________Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 7 APPENDIX ANNOTATED QUESTIONNAIRE
Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 8 FIELD USE ONLYDate:
Interviewer:
Start Time:
End Time:
# Minutes:Supervisor:
Editor:
Completed:
Terminated:
Validated:Telephone #: ( ) -QUOTAS 802 Completes Among California Members List Assisted Q#:____ ____ ____ ____ AARP – California Health Care SurveyAugust 2007 INTRODUCTION/SCREENER IntroductionHello, may I please speak with
{WHEN RESPONDENT OR SPOUSE IS ON THE PHONE, CONTINUE WITH:}
{NOTE: IF SPOUSE, THEY MUST CONSIDER THEMSELVES A MEMBER OF AARP}
Hello, this is__________ from Alan Newman Research, a national research firm. This is not a sales
call and you will not be asked to buy anything now or later. We would really like to include your
opinions on an important issue facing California residents. [USE AS NECESSARY: “I assure you that
all of your answers will remain completely confidential. The survey should take about 10 minutes to
complete.”]
{IF ASKED, "Where did you get my name?" SAY "A-A-R-P provided a list of members for us
to call."}[INTERVIEWERS -- IF NECESSARY USE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
My name is ________. I’m calling from Alan Newman Research, a national opinion
research firm located in Richmond, Virginia. If you would like more information about
who we are and what we do, you are welcome to check out our website at www.anr.com.
Let me assure you, this is NOT a sales call and you will NOT be asked to buy anything
either now or later. We are NOT telemarketers.
You will not be asked to buy anything either now or later.
All of your responses are kept entirely confidential.
Your views are important and we would greatly appreciate your participation.Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 9 Main Questionnaire 1. I’m going to read you a list of issues. For each issue please tell me how much of a priority you
think it should be for the Governor and State Legislature to work on right now? Should [INSERTISSUE AND ROTATE ISSUES] be a top priority, a high priority, a medium priority, a low priority, or not a priority for the Governor and State Legislature to work on right now? Top . PriorityHigh PriorityMedium Priority Low Priority Not a Priority Not sure/Refused % % % % % % a. Making health care affordable & accessible.... 463413431b. Reforming the prison system........................... 143138747c. Improving the quality of education.................. 364218212d. Relievingtrafficcongestion............................. 183634732e. Protecting our water supply............................. 384613111 2. Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including private health insurance or
government plans such as Medicare or Medi-Cal, or Healthy Families? % 93 Yes7 No [SKIP TO Q4]
0 Notsure[SKIP TO Q4] [DO NOT READ]<.5 Refused[SKIP TO Q4] [DO NOT READ] 3. [ASK IF Q2=YES] How are you covered? Are you covered….? (n=758) [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY AND RECORD A YES, NO, OR NOT SURE ANSWER FOR EACH ONE][INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF 65 OR OLDER, CONFIRM WHETHER THEY HAVE MEDICARE AND SOME OTHER
COVERAGE SUCH AS AN INDIVIDUAL POLICY.][INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF RESPONDENT GIVES NAME OF INSURER OR SPECIFIC COMPANY NAME, ASK
WHETHER THEY PAY FOR THE POLICY ON THEIR OWN OR IF IT IS PAID FOR BY AN EMPLOYER
/PREVIOUS EMPLOYER AND RECORD APPROPRIATELY]Yes NoNot sure Not covered any other way Refused% % % % % a. Through current employer ....................................... 23 7700<.5b. Through your spouse’s employer............................. 13 8204<.5c. On your own, through an individual insurancepolicy........................................................................ 37 62 <.51<.5d. Through a previous employer or spouse’semployer[may be Retirement Benefit] ........................ 29 67 <.54<.5e. Through Veterans or military benefits ..................... 10 83<.56<.5f. Through Medi-Cal....................................................5 94 <.51<.5g. Through Medicare.................................................... 52 47 <.51<.5h. Through Healthy Families .......................................18919<.5i. Through SCHIP(State Children’s Health InsuranceProgram).................................................................... <.5 99 <.5<.5<.5j. Through some other way:[Please Specify:_____]......2 97 01<.5Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 10 4. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the statement that “All Californians should have
access to quality, affordable health care? Do you….? % 65 Stronglyagree21 Somewhatagree5Neither agree nor disagree4 Somewhatdisagree3 Stronglydisagree2Not sure [DO NOT READ]<.5Refused [DO NOT READ]5. Considering what you currently pay in out-of-pocket medical expenses, including insurance
premiums, prescription drug costs, and co-pays, how much of a problem is it for you and your
family to afford health care costs? Is it….? % 20 Amajorproblem34 Aminorproblem45Not a problem1Not sure [DO NOT READ]<.5Refused [DO NOT READ]6. How concerned are you that you and your family will have access to quality, affordable
health care services when you need them in the future? Are you….? % 26 Extremelyconcerned24 Veryconcerned24 Somewhatconcerned14Not very concerned11Not at all concerned1Not sure [DO NOT READ]0Refused [DO NOT READ]
7. The Governor and State Legislative Leaders have developed and promoted major health
care reform proposals this year to fix health care in California. However, these proposals
have still not passed through the State Legislature. How important is it to you that the
Governor and the State Legislature pass a health care reform bill this year? Is it….? % 32 Extremelyimportant33 Veryimportant18 Somewhatimportant6Not very important6Not at all important6Not sure [DO NOT READ]<.5Refused [DO NOT READ]Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 11 8. If health care reform does not pass this year, how likely would you be to vote for a ballot
measure that would extend the number of years that legislators can serve? This ballot
measure would extend the number of years legislators in the Assembly can serve, from the
current 6 years to 12 years. It would also extend the number of years legislators in the State
Senate can serve, from the current 8 years to 12 years. If health care reform does not pass
this year, would you be extremely likely, very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not at
all likely to vote to extend the number of years legislators can serve? % 8 Extremelylikely9 Verylikely13 Somewhatlikely18Not very likely45Not at all likely6Not sure [DO NOT READ]<.5Refused [DO NOT READ] 9. Earlier this year, the Governor and legislative leaders said they would pass legislation
making adequate and affordable health care coverage available to all California residents.
How likely would you be to re-elect a legislator who voted to adjourn this year’s legislative
session without passing this health care reform? % 6 Extremelylikely8 Verylikely20 Somewhatlikely26Not very likely33Not at all likely7Not sure [DO NOT READ]1Refused [DO NOT READ]
The following questions are for statistical classification purposes only and will be kept entirely
confidential. D1. RECORD RESPONDENT’S GENDER. ASK ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY:
To ensure it is recorded accurately, could you please state your gender? % 52 Male
48 Female
D2. What is your age as of your last birthday? [IN YEARS] __________ % 26 50-59
44 60-74
26 75+Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 12 D3. What is your current marital status? Are you….[READ OPTIONS] % 60Married2Not married, living with your partner or significant other1 Separated11 Divorced
16Widowed9Or are you currently single and never married<.5Not sure [DO NOT READ]1Refused [DO NOT READ]
D4. Do you own or rent your residence? % 85 Own
13 Rent<.5Not sure [DO NOT READ]2Refused [DO NOT READ]
D5. What is the highest level of education that you completed? [READ OPTIONS] % 40 to 12th grade, but with no diploma21 Highschoolgraduate or equivalent14Post high school education, but with no degree182 year degree174 year degree9Post graduate study, but with no degree16Graduate or professional degree0Not sure [DO NOT READ]2Refused [DO NOT READ] D6. Which of the following best describes your current employment status? [READ OPTIONS] % 7 Self-employedfull-time3 Self-employedpart-time15 Employedfull-time6 Employedpart-time63Retired and not working at all1Unemployed and looking for work3Or are you not in the labor force for other reasons<.5Not sure [DO NOT READ]1Refused [DO NOT READ] Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 13 D7. Are you of Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino origin or descent? % 6 Yes91 No1Not sure [DO NOT READ]2Refused [DO NOT READ]D8. What is your race? % 85White or Caucasian6Black or African American1Native American or Alaskan Native2 Asian
1Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander3Or are you some other race? [Please Specify: _______]<.5Not sure [DO NOT READ]3Refused [DO NOT READ]D9. Thinking about your state elections for California Governor and Legislators in the last ten years, which of the following best describes your voting behavior? Would you say you vote
always, most of the time, about half of the time, seldom, or would you say you never vote? % 77 Always
13Most of the time4About half of the time2 Seldom
3 Never<.5Not sure [DO NOT READ]1Refused [DO NOT READ] D10. What is your 5-digit zip code? ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ D11. In general, how often do you go online to access the Internet or World Wide Web or
to send and receive email? Would you say several times a day, about once a day, 3-5 days a
week, 1-2 days a week, once every few weeks, less often than every few weeks, or do you
never go online to use the Internet or check email? % 28Several times a day20About once a day73-5 days a week61-2 days a week3Once every few weeks3Once a month or less30Or do you never go online to use the Internet or World Wide Web?<.5Not sure [DO NOT READ]1Refused [DO NOT READ]Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 14 D12. Do you consider yourself to be a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, or something else? % 38 Democrat
29 Republican
19 Independent8 Other
2Not sure [DO NOT READ]4Refused [DO NOT READ]
D13. How would you characterize your political views? % 35 Conservative
34 Moderate
18 Liberal7None of the above3Not sure [DO NOT READ]3Refused [DO NOT READ] D14. Are you employed by or retired from….[READ & RECORD ANSWER FOR EACH] [CREATECOLUMN THAT INDICATES EITHER DOES OR DOES NOT WORK IN HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY BASED ON
THIS QUESTION]Yes No Not sure Refused% % % % a. A health care insurance provider .......................69202b. A health care provider such as a hospital,pharmacy, or managed care facility ..................79102c. Some other aspect of the health care industry ...2 96 02D15. We realize income is a private matter and so rather than ask you anything specific about
your income, I’d like to ask you to please stop me when I get to the category that includes your
household’s income before taxes in 2006. Was it….[READ OPTIONS] % 2Less than $10,0007$10,000 but less than $20,00012$20,000 but less than $35,00015$35,000 but less than $50,0009$50,000 but less than $60,0007$60,000 but less than $75,0009$75,000 but less than $100,00014$100,000 or more3Not sure [DO NOT READ]23Refused [DO NOT READ]That was our last question for tonight. Thanks you very much for taking the time to help us out. Have a great day/night!Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members 15 AARP Knowledge Management For more information, contact Joanne Binette: 202.434.6303 or email jbinette@aarp.org

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