These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
50% Favor Obama Health Reform Plan, 45% Oppose It
Monday, June 29, 2009
Voters remain closely divided over the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats, with a high level of intensity on both sides of the issue.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of U.S. voters at least somewhat favor the Democrats' health care reform plan, while 45% are at least somewhat opposed.
While the overall numbers favor the plan, those with strong opinions tilt the other way. Twenty-four percent (24%) strongly favor the plan, but 34% are strongly opposed.
The question did not in any way describe the plan as it stands to date. It was simply presented as the health care reform proposed by President Obama and Congressional Democrats. Rasmussen Reports will be tracking the public response to this proposal at least monthly for as long as the legislative debate continues.
The partisan gap is perhaps predictable. Forty-three percent (43%) of Democrats strongly favor the Obama plan, while 57% of Republicans and a plurality of those not affiliated with either party (39%) strongly oppose it.
That's explained in part by the finding that 58% of GOP voters think their own health care coverage will get worse if the plan passes. Forty-nine percent (49%) of Democrats say theirs will stay about the same, while 23% of the president's party believe their coverage will get better. Unaffiliated voters are more closely divided between their coverage getting worse or staying about the same.
Among all voters, just 12% think their health care coverage will get better if the plan is passed while 37% expect it will worsen. Thirty-seven percent (37%) expect their coverage to stay about the same if the plan proposed by the president and congressional Democrats becomes law.
Polling released earlier today showed that 26% of Massachusetts voters say their state's health care reform effort , viewed by some as a model for national reform, has been a success. Only 10% say the quality of health care has gotten better as a result of the reform plan.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of all voters also say it is at least somewhat likely that their own health insurance will change if the Obama plan passes. That includes 32% who say their health insurance is very likely to change. Overall, 31% say it's not likely that their coverage will change.
Many surveys have documented the fact that while people are generally in the mood for improving the health care system, most of those with insurance are happy with the coverage they have . Support for reform falls dramatically when people fear they would have to change their own coverage.
That perception is confirmed in the current survey. Opposition is very high among those who have insurance but believe it is Very Likely they will be forced to change coverage if reform passes. Among these voters, only 22% favor passing the reform proposal while 76% oppose the plan working its way through Congress.
One of the key indicators to watch in the ongoing health care debate will be the number who think the reform proposal would force them to change coverage. If that number grows, the prospects for passing health care reform will decline. If the Obama Administration is able to re-assure people and convince them that their own coverage won't change, support for reform will increase.
President Obama told a press conference last week that a new government-run health insurance plan will still allow Americans to choose their own doctors, but he acknowledged that the creation of the plan may ultimately take that decision away from many. Obama is championing a government plan to compete with private insurers as one way to keep health care costs down, but critics say it will drive private insurance companies out of business.
Americans are evenly divided on the question of creating a government-run health insurance company : 41% say it's a good idea, but 41% disagree.
Most voters (52%) say the Obama health care reform plan is likely to become law this year, but just 13% say it is very likely to do so. Thirty-four percent (34%) think passage is unlikely, but only seven percent (7%) think it is not at all likely. Thirteen percent (13%) aren't sure.
Forty-four percent (44%) of Americans say the Obama administration should wait on health care reform until the economy improves, but 43% say it should move ahead now.
The public has mixed feelings about many of the other proposals included in the plan congressional Democrats are working out with the White House.
Democrats continue to say that health care reform it the most important of the priorities Obama has listed for his presidency, but Republicans and unaffiliated voters believe cutting the deficit in half should be his top goal. Health care reform and development of new energy sources are the priorities voters think the president is most likely to achieve.
Seventy-five percent (75%) say medical malpractice lawsuits are an important factor in the rising cost of health care , and the president has signaled a willingness to include tort reform as part of his health care reform plan.
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To view a copy of the original report, please use this link: What Health Plan?