Big support for insurance rate regulation measure in California

A proposal to randomly drug test doctors and increase the limit on medical malpractice lawsuit awards also has a strong show of support in the poll. 

The Sacramento Bee: Field Poll: Strong Support For California Health Insurance Rate-Regulation Measure
A California initiative on the fall ballot requiring that health insurance rate changes be approved by the elected insurance commissioner is receiving strong support from voters statewide, according to the latest Field Poll. Nearly 70 percent of registered voters back Proposition 45, while 16 percent say they would oppose it and 15 percent remain undecided ahead of the Nov. 4 election. Support came from 75 percent of Democrats, 73 percent of independents and 58 percent of Republicans. Meanwhile, a separate initiative mandating random drug testing of doctors and quadrupling the state's $250,000 limit on medical malpractice awards was out ahead by a smaller majority. Proposition 46, which also would compel doctors to consult a state drug history database before issuing certain prescriptions, is supported by 58 percent, opposed by 30 percent and has 12 percent undecided (Cadelago, 8/20).

And California voter approval of the federal health care law grows --

The San Francisco Chronicle: Voter Approval Of Health Care Law Climbing, Poll Shows
Most California voters gave the state's rollout of the federal health law high marks and overall support of the Affordable Care Act is on the rise, according to a Field Poll released Tuesday. The survey of more than 1,500 registered voters between June 26 and July 19 found that by a 2-to-1 margin -- 60 percent to 30 percent - respondents thought the state was successful in implementing the law, results that contrasted with the federal effort. Less than half described the federal rollout, which was plagued with high-profile technical glitches, as successful. Moreover, statewide support of the Affordable Care Act is at its highest level since its introduction in 2010, with the Bay Area recording the highest rates of support of any region, the poll found (Colliver, 8/19).

The San Jose Mercury News: Obamacare Poll: Californians Of All Political Stripes Show Increased Support Of Health Care Law
The nation's new health care law is surging in popularity in the Golden State, according to a Field Poll, which finds more Californians today -- of all political stripes -- support the Affordable Care Act than at any time since it was signed into law four years ago. And by a 2-1 margin, they praise the successful way it's been rolled out in the state, compared to the federal government's glitch-ridden system. Still more now say they're satisfied with the way the health care system is working in the state, compared to a year ago (Seipel, 8/19).