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New Kaiser Poll

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Mar 20th, 2010

Key Findings from the Kaiser Family Foundation's March Health Tracking Poll

 

Americans remain about evenly divided over the health reform legislation being considered in Congress, with 46 percent saying they back the proposals on Capitol Hill, 42 percent opposing them and 12 percent reporting that they are unsure. But there are signs of rising support in the Democratic base:

the number of rank-and-file Democrats who say they "strongly support" the proposals climbed to 52 percent in March, up from 30 percent in January.

 

Six in ten Americans say they have heard little or nothing about budget reconciliation, the legislative process that Democratic congressional leaders plan to employ in an attempt to achieve final passage. A large majority of Republicans (77%), Democrats (67%) and independents (77%) say the way that the health reform debate has played out over the last year has made them more likely to think that the policymaking process in Washington is "broken."

 

Americans are divided about what should happen next. Forty-two percent say "Congress has debated health care reform long enough and it is time for them to take a vote." Thirty-six ercent would like lawmakers to "go back to the drawing board and start over again on a new proposal." And 20 percent say Congress should "move on to other topics." 

 

The public does not understand some important elements of the reform legislation. Only 15 percent of Americans, for instance, know that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the legislation will decrease the federal budget deficit over the next 10 years. And 55 percent believe the CBO has said the legislation will increase the deficit over that period.

 

Many Americans continue to struggle with health costs. Three in 10 people overall, and more than 4 in 10 people earning $40,000 a year or less, say their household has had problems paying medical bills over the past year.

 

Nearly one in five Americans say cost increases have caused them or their employer to switch to a less comprehensive health plan. Among those under age 65 who buy insurance on the individual market, 46 percent say they have had to switch to a less comprehensive plan.

 

A complete report can be viewed online at http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/8058.cfm

 

 

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