Poll: Voters trust Kimmel more than GOP on health care

Voters trust late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel more than Republican leaders on health care, according to a new poll.

By 47 to 34 percent, polled voters say they trust Kimmel more on the issue, Public Policy Polling, a progressive firm, found.

The host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” also has a higher favorability rating than Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

{mosads}

Forty-seven percent have a favorable impression of Kimmel, with 30 percent unfavorable. McConnell is underwater with 14 percent favorable, 61 unfavorable, and Ryan has a 25-51 split.

Kimmel became a voice in the debate, arguing against ObamaCare repeal. He spoke about his newborn son, born with a serious heart condition, and said Republican bills would take away coverage from those with pre-existing conditions.

Kimmel blasted Senate Republicans’ latest bill, drafted by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Cassidy previously appeared on Kimmel’s show and said GOP bills should pass what the two dubbed the “Jimmy Kimmel test,” protecting those with pre-existing conditions.

Kimmel claimed the Graham-Cassidy bill would fail that test, a claim Cassidy disputed.

Republican leaders abandoned plans to hold a vote on the bill this week after it became clear it lacked the votes to pass.

The poll found only 27 percent of those polled supported the Graham-Cassidy bill, with 53 percent opposed. Respondents preferred ObamaCare over Graham-Cassidy by 53 percent to 34 percent. 

ObamaCare now enjoys a newfound popularity among voters, with only 32 percent of respondents wanting the law scrapped. Sixty-two percent said it should be fixed.

The survey was conducted Sept. 22-25 and polled 865 registered voters. The margin of error is 3.3 percent.