The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons surveyed 1,208 adults -- the majority of whom were physicians or other types of medical professionals -- and found that 90 percent are opposed to a single-payer health care system.

Respondents also provided commentary either supporting or opposing single payer – but some of the most interesting open-ended comments included alternative suggestions for how to improve the current system in the U.S.

Those opposed to single payer checked the following objections (most giving multiple reasons):

• increased rationing (87 percent)

• unaffordable (75 percent)

• harm to patient privacy (66 percent)

• unconstitutional (58 percent)

• other (28 percent)

“Single payer has never worked well,” says a respondent who was not a medical professional. “Socialized medicine countries are struggling to pay for these systems because the lack of competition undermines incentive for the one payer to be efficient. Meanwhile the quality is poor for patients, because it is a one -size-fits-all system that determines coverage and benefits based on collectively bargained agreements -- where diseases and treatments that qualify for reimbursement are driven by political power and agenda, rather than needs of the patient. Other socialized medicine countries with single-payer systems are trying to diversify to get other payers into their markets because the burdensome costs and lack of coverage.”