Health Policy

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Health Policy	See also: Biotech \| Marijuana (medical use)

CBS News Poll. Nov. 13-16, 2009. N=1,167 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	44	48	8
	10/5-8/09	47	42	11
	9/19-23/09	47	45	8
	8/27-31/09	40	47	13
	7/24-28/09	46	38	16
	7/9-12/09	49	37	14
	6/12-16/09	44	34	22

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Democrats in Congress are handling health care?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	30	59	11
	10/5-8/09	25	60	15

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Republicans in Congress are handling health care?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	23	62	15
	10/5-8/09	17	67	16

"From what you've heard or read, do you mostly approve or mostly disapprove of the proposed changes to the health care system under consideration in Congress?"

		Mostly Approve	Mostly Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	40	45	15
	Republicans	20	74	6
	Democrats	57	25	18
	Independents	36	47	17

"From what you've heard or read, do you think the health care reforms under consideration in Congress will mostly help you personally, will mostly hurt you personally, or don't you think they will have much of an effect on you personally?"

		Help	Hurt	Not Much Effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	19	34	41	6
	10/5-8/09	18	31	45	6
	9/19-23/09	23	26	44	7
	8/27-31/09	18	31	46	5

"Would you favor or oppose the government offering some people who are uninsured the choice of a government-administered health insurance plan -- also known as a 'public option' -- that would compete with private health insurance plans?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	61	28	11
	Republicans	35	56	9
	Democrats	82	8	10
	Independents	56	30	14

"How likely do you think it is that Congress will pass and President Obama will sign into law a health care reform bill by the end of the year: very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not at all likely?"

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Very Likely	Not at All Likely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	16	34	33	15	2
	10/5-8/09	14	36	33	14	3

"Which of the following comes closest to your view about the proposed changes to the health care system now under consideration in Congress? (1) Congress should pass a health care bill that includes a government-administered health insurance plan also called a public option. (2) Congress should pass a health care bill that does not include a government-administered health insurance plan also called a public option. OR, (3) Congress should not pass any health care bill."

		Pass Bill with Public Option	Pass Bill w/o Public Option	Not Pass Any Bill	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	51	16	26	7
	Republicans	23	20	51	6
	Democrats	72	13	7	8
	Independents	47	15	30	8

"If the federal government provides subsidies or credits to help people buy health insurance, do you think those insurance plans should or should not cover abortion procedures?"

		Should	Should Not	Doesn't Matter (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/13-16/09	34	56	2	8
	Republicans	29	63	0	8
	Democrats	45	45	2	8
	Independents	28	62	2	8

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Nov. 13-15, 2009. N=1,014 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).

"As you may know, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would make major changes in the country's health care system. Based on what you have heard or read about that bill, do you generally favor it or generally oppose it?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/13-15/09	46	49	5

"As you may know, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would make major changes in the country's health care system. Based on what you have heard or read about that bill, do you generally favor it or generally oppose it?" If oppose: "Do you oppose that bill because you think its approach toward health care is too liberal, or because you think its approach toward health care is not liberal enough?" Combined responses

		Favor	Oppose: Too Liberal	Oppose: Not Liberal Enough	Oppose: Other Reasons	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/13-15/09	46	34	10	3	8

"As you may know, the bill passed by the U.S. House requires approval by the U.S. Senate before it becomes law. Which of the following do you think the Senate should do? Consider the House bill this fall and make relatively minor changes before passing it into law. Consider the House bill this fall but pass it into law only if major changes are made. Start work on an entirely new bill that would not be ready until sometime next year. Stop working on any bills that would change the country's health care system."

		Make Minor Changes	Make Major Changes	Entirely New Bill	Stop Working On Any Bills	Other (vol.)/ Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/13-15/09	30	22	28	17	3

"Just your best guess, how likely do you think it is that a bill similar to the one passed by the U.S. House will become law by the end of the year: very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?" N=501 (Form A), MoE ą 4.5

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Somewhat Unlikely	Very Unlikely
		%	%	%	%
	11/13-15/09	12	37	31	19

"Just your best guess, how likely do you think it is that a bill similar to the one passed by the U.S. House will become law by the end of next year: very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?" N=513 (Form B), MoE ą 4.5

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Somewhat Unlikely	Very Unlikely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/13-15/09	19	40	23	16	2

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. Nov. 5-9, 2009. N=1,006 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1 (for all adults).

"How important are the following issues to you personally: not at all important, slightly important, moderately important, very important or extremely important? How about health care?"

		Extremely Important	Very Important	Moderately Important	Slightly Important	Not at All Important
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	42	36	13	5	4
	10/1-5/09	46	37	10	5	2
	9/3-8/09	41	36	16	5	2
	7/16-20/09	43	35	13	7	2
	4/16-20/09	41	38	16	4	1

"And please tell me if you approve, disapprove or neither approve nor disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling each of the following issues. How about health care?" If unsure: "If you had to choose, do you lean more toward approving or disapproving of the way Barack Obama is handling health care?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	49	46	5	-
	10/1-5/09	48	47	5	-
	9/3-8/09	42	52	6	-
	7/16-20/09	50	43	7	-
	4/16-20/09	53	28	16	3

"In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose the health care reform plans being discussed in Congress?"

		Support	Oppose	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	39	45	14	3
	10/1-5/09	40	40	17	3
	9/3-8/09	34	49	15	2

"If President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are unable to win support from Republicans to pass a health care plan this year, what should they do? Should they go ahead and pass a bill without Republican support or keep trying until they are able to make a deal with the Republicans?"

		Pass Without Republican Support	Make a Deal With the Republicans	Unsure	Refused
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	31	61	5	3
	10/1-5/09	34	62	3	2
	9/3-8/09	28	66	4	1

"Have YOU been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu, which is a separate vaccine from the regular flu vaccine, or have you not been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus or swine flu?"

		Have	Have Not
		%	%
	11/5-9/09	6	94

"Have YOU been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu, which is a separate vaccine from the regular flu vaccine, or have you not been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus or swine flu?" If have not: "As you may know, the government is making the H1N1 flu, or swine flu vaccine. It would be available as a separate shot and is not included in the regular flu vaccine this year. You would have to make a separate trip to the doctor or clinic to get this shot as it won't be available when the regular flu shot is administered. How likely would you be to get this separate shot for yourself . . . ?" Combined responses

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Too Likely	Not at All Likely	Have Been Vaccinated
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	23	18	12	40	6

"Have any of your children been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus or swine flu, which is a separate vaccine from the regular flu vaccine, or have they not been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus or swine flu?" N= 296 parents/guardians of children under age 18

		Have	Have Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	17	82	2

"Have any of your children been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus or swine flu, which is a separate vaccine from the regular flu vaccine, or have they not been vaccinated against the H1N1 virus or swine flu?" If have not: "How likely would you be to give permission to have this additional swine flu shot administered to your children at school, on a separate date from the regular flu vaccine, if it is available . . . ?" N= 296 parents/guardians of children under age 18. Combined responses.

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Too Likely	Strongly Unlikely	Children Have Been Vaccinated
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	27	18	9	28	17

"How concerned are you that you or someone in your immediate family might catch the swine flu . . . ?"

		Very Concerned	Somewhat Concerned	Not Too Concerned	Not at All Concerned	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	23	33	22	19	2
	10/1-5/09	29	30	26	16	-

"Without knowing anything else about the swine flu vaccine being developed, how confident would you be that this vaccine would protect you and your family from the swine flu . . . ?"

		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Too Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	19	46	20	15	-
	10/1-5/09	16	53	19	10	2

"How concerned are you that there would be side-effects from this new swine flu vaccine . . . ?"

		Very Concerned	Somewhat Concerned	Not Too Concerned	Not at All Concerned
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	35	33	18	14
	10/1-5/09	35	37	17	11

"Is the federal government doing a good job, a poor job, or neither a good nor poor job of handling the swine flu epidemic?"

		Good	Poor	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-9/09	47	29	22	2

Gallup Poll. Nov. 5-8, 2009. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4 (for all adults).

"Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have health care coverage, or is that not the responsibility of the federal government?"

		Is	Is Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/5-8/09	47	50	3
	11/13-16/08	54	41	5
	11/11-14/07	64	33	3
	11/9-12/06	69	28	3
	11/7-10/05	58	38	4
	11/7-10/04	64	34	2
	11/3-5/03	59	39	2
	11/11-14/02	62	35	3
	11/8-11/01	62	34	4
	9/11-13/00	64	31	5
	1/13-16/00	59	38	3

"Which of the following approaches for providing health care in the United States would you prefer: replacing the current health care system with a new government-run health care system, or maintaining the current system based mostly on private health insurance?" Options rotated

		Replace with Government- Run System	Maintain Private System	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/5-8/09	32	61	7
	3/27-29/09	39	56	5
	11/13-16/08	41	49	10
	11/11-14/07	41	48	11
	11/9-12/06	39	51	10
	11/7-10/05	41	49	10
	11/7-10/04	32	63	5
	11/3-5/03	38	57	5
	11/8-11/01	33	61	6

"Thinking about health care legislation now being considered by Congress: Would you advise your member of Congress to vote for or against a health care bill this year, or do you not have an opinion?"

		For	Against	No Opinion
		%	%	%
	11/5-8/09	29	38	33
	10/1-4/09	40	36	25
	9/11-13/09	38	40	22

"Thinking about health care legislation now being considered by Congress: Would you advise your member of Congress to vote for or against a health care bill this year, or do you not have an opinion?" If no opinion: "As of today, would you say you lean more toward advising your member of Congress to vote for a health care bill, or lean more toward advising your member of Congress to vote against a health care bill?" Combined responses

		For	Against	No Opinion
		%	%	%
	11/5-8/09	43	48	9
	Republicans	18	79	3
	Independents	37	53	10
	Democrats	71	18	11

	10/1-4/09	51	41	8
	9/11-13/09	50	47	3

"Taking everything into account, if a new health care bill becomes law, do you think in the long run it will make the U.S. health care system better, would it not make much difference, or make it worse than it is now?" Options rotated. N=500 (Form A), MoE ą 5.

		Better	Not Much Difference	Worse	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-8/09	41	14	40	5

"Taking everything into account, if a new health care bill becomes law, do you think in the long run it will make your own health care situation better, would it not make much difference, or make it worse than it is now?" Options rotated. N=508 (Form B), MoE ą 5.

		Better	Not Much Difference	Worse	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	11/5-8/09	26	31	36	7

Pew Research Center Poll. Oct. 28-Nov. 8, 2009. N=2,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

"How much, if anything, have you heard about the bills in Congress to overhaul the health care system: a lot, a little, or nothing at all?"

		A Lot	A Little	Nothing	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/28 - 11/8/09	49	42	7	1
	9/30 - 10/4/09	46	43	10	1
	9/10-15/09	60	34	5	1
	8/20-27/09	53	40	7	1
	7/22-26/09	41	47	10	1

"As of right now, do you generally favor or generally oppose the health care proposals being discussed in Congress?"

		Generally Favor	Generally Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/28 - 11/8/09	38	47	15
	9/30 - 10/4/09	34	47	19
	9/10-15/09	42	44	14
	8/20-27/09	39	46	15
	7/22-26/09	38	44	18

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2009. N=1,018 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care policy?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/09	42	57	2
	9/11-13/09	51	47	2
	8/28-31/09	44	53	3
	3/12-15/09	57	41	2

"From everything you have heard or read so far, do you favor or oppose Barack Obama's plan to reform health care?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/09	45	53	2
	10/16-18/09	49	49	2
	9/11-13/09	51	46	3
	8/28-31/09	48	51	2
	7/31 - 8/3/09	50	45	5
	6/26-28/09	51	45	4

"As you may know, several health care bills have been passed by committees in the U.S. House and Senate and they can be brought before Congress for debate and a final vote at any time. Which of the following do you think Congress should do? Continue working on those bills this fall and make relatively minor changes before passing final legislation. Continue working on those bills this fall but pass final legislation only if major changes are made. Start work on entirely new bills that would not be ready until some time next year. Stop working on any bills that would change the country's health care system."

		Make Minor Changes	Make Major Changes	Entirely New Bills	Stop Working On Any Bills	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/09	26	33	24	15	1
	8/28-31/09	25	28	25	20	2

"Now thinking specifically about the health insurance plans available to most Americans, would you favor or oppose creating a public health insurance option administered by the federal government that would compete with plans offered by private health insurance companies?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/09	55	44	1
	10/16-18/09	61	38	1
	8/28-31/09	55	41	4

"How confident are you that the federal government can prevent a nationwide swine flu epidemic: very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident, or not confident at all?"

		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Very Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/09	11	40	26	23	-
	8/28-31/09	15	44	22	18	1

"Just your best guess: Do you think that the government and private industry can or cannot produce enough swine flu vaccine to inoculate all Americans who want to get a swine flu shot?"

		Can	Cannot	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/09	53	46	1
	8/28-31/09	50	48	1

Ipsos/McClatchy Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2009. N=1,077 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

"As of right now, do you favor or oppose the health care reform proposals presently being discussed?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/29 - 11/1/09	39	49	12
	10/1-5/09	40	42	18
	8/27-31/09	40	45	15

"Do you favor or oppose the following? . . ."

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%

	"Creation of a public entity to directly compete with existing health insurance companies."
	10/29 - 11/1/09	51	43	6
	8/27-31/09	49	41	10

	"Legislation to permit the creation of insurance co-operatives NOT run by the government."
	10/29 - 11/1/09	57	35	8
	8/27-31/09	54	36	10

	"Specific regulations to ensure basic patients' rights, such as portability of coverage."
	10/29 - 11/1/09	75	17	8
	8/27-31/09	74	15	10

"How concerned are you that you, someone in your household, or someone in your close circle of friends will get sick from swine flu? Would you say you are . . . ?"

		Very Concerned	Somewhat Concerned	Not Very Concerned	Not at All Concerned
		%	%	%	%
	10/29 - 11/1/09	26	37	21	15
	4/30 - 5/3/09	20	32	26	23

"How likely is it that you will get vaccinated against the H1N1 swine flu once the vaccine is available in your area? Would you say . . . ?"

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Very Likely	Not at All Likely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/29 - 11/1/09	33	19	17	30	1

"And overall, how confident are you that the Obama administration has done everything in its power to ensure the H1N1 swine flu vaccine is available in time for flu season? Would you say . . . ?"

		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Very Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/29 - 11/1/09	23	43	17	14	3

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Oct. 22-25, 2009. N=1,009 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1 (for all adults).

"Do you generally approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing in handling the issue of health care reform?" Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	43	48	9
	9/17-20/09	45	46	9
	8/15-17/09	41	47	12
	7/24-27/09	41	46	13

"Do you generally approve or disapprove of the way that Republicans in Congress are handling the issue of health care reform?" Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	23	64	13
	9/17-20/09	21	65	14
	8/15-17/09	21	62	17

"From what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan, do you think his plan is a good idea or a bad idea? If you do not have an opinion either way, please just say so."

		Good Idea	Bad Idea	No Opinion	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	38	42	16	4
	9/17-20/09	39	41	17	3
	8/15-17/09	36	42	17	5
	7/24-27/09	36	42	17	5
	6/12-15/09	33	32	30	5
	4/23-26/09	33	26	34	7

"And from what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan, do you believe it will result in the quality of your health care getting better, worse, or staying about the same as now? If you do not have an opinion, please just say so." Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4

		Better	Worse	Same	No Opinion	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	21	40	27	10	2
	9/17-20/09	19	36	34	8	3
	8/15-17/09	24	40	27	7	2
	7/24-27/09	21	39	29	9	2
	4/23-26/09	22	24	29	20	5

"And from what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan, do you believe it will result in the cost of your health care going up, down, or staying about the same as now? If you do not have an opinion, please just say so." Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4

		Up	Down	Same	No Opinion	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	47	13	25	11	4

"Do you think it would be better to pass Barack Obama's health care plan and make its changes to the health care system or to not pass this plan and keep the current health care system?"

		Make Changes	Keep Current System	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	45	39	8	8
	9/17-20/09	45	39	9	7

"Thinking about efforts to reform the health care system, which would concern you more: not doing enough to make the health care system better than it is now by lowering costs and covering the uninsured, OR, going too far and making the health care system worse than it is now in terms of quality of care and choice of doctor?" Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4

		Not Doing Enough	Going Too Far	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	44	51	5
	9/17-20/09	44	48	8
	8/15-17/09	41	54	5

"Which one of the following do you think the president and Congress should be most focused on addressing: the cost of health care, or people who are not covered by insurance?" Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4

		Cost	Coverage	Both Equally (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	38	41	18	3
	4/23-26/09	39	42	16	3

"Which one of the following do you think the president's health care plan is more focused on addressing: the cost of health care, or people who are not covered by insurance?" Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4

		Cost	Coverage	Both Equally (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	13	68	15	4
	4/23-26/09	12	69	12	7

"And thinking about one aspect of the debate on health care legislation -- In any health care proposal, how important do you feel it is to give people a choice of both a public plan administered by the federal government and a private plan for their health insurance: extremely important, quite important, not that important, or not at all important?" Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4

		Extremely Important	Quite Important	Not That Important	Not at All Important	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	45	27	8	15	5
	9/17-20/09	48	25	8	15	4
	6/12-15/09	41	35	12	8	4

"And thinking about one aspect of the debate on health care legislation -- Would you favor or oppose creating a public health care plan administered by the federal government that would compete directly with private health insurance companies?" Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	48	42	10
	9/17-20/09	46	48	6
	8/15-17/09	43	47	10
	7/24-27/09	46	44	10

"As you may know, a health care bill has not yet passed through Congress. Do you feel that this is mainly due to an unwillingness of the Republicans to compromise and find a middle ground to work with the Democrats, or that this is due to an unwillingness of the Democrats to compromise and find a middle ground to work with the Republicans, or do you feel that it is equally the fault of both parties?"

		Republicans' Unwillingness	Democrats' Unwillingness	Both Parties Equally	Neither at Fault (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/22-25/09	23	16	56	2	3

"How much blame would you give to each of the following people or groups for making health care reform legislation so difficult to deal with and pass: a great deal of blame, quite a bit of blame, very little blame, or no blame at all? . . ." Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4

		A Great Deal	Quite a Bit	Very Little	None at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%

	"Special interest groups such as big pharmaceutical and health insurance companies because they are more concerned about their bottom line and want to stop real health care reform in this country"
	10/22-25/09	49	26	15	5	5

	"Democrats in Congress because their health plan is expensive and calls for a lot more government involvement in the health care system"
	10/22-25/09	31	30	24	9	6

	"Republicans in Congress because they are more concerned about blocking the bill and are not putting forward an alternative"
	10/22-25/09	30	30	25	10	5

	"President Obama because he failed to provide the kind of leadership needed to pass legislation like this"
	10/22-25/09	18	20	33	25	4

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Oct. 16-19, 2009. N=1,521 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3. Per Gallup: Sample includes "an oversample of 408 blacks, consisting of 102 interviews done as part of the random national sample and 306 interviews with blacks who had previously participated in national Gallup Polls and agreed to be re-interviewed at a later date. The data from the national sample and re-interviews are combined and weighted to be demographically representative of the national adult population in the United States and to reflect the proper proportion of blacks in the overall population."

"As you may know, the White House and congressional Democrats are moving toward passing a health care bill, though the details of the final bill are still being worked out. Based on what you know or have read, do you think you will support the final health care bill, does it depend on some of the decisions that have yet to be made about the bill, or do you think you will oppose the final health care bill?" Options rotated

		Support	Depends	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/16-19/09	25	39	33	3

"If Congress is going to reform the health care system, should Congress deal with health care reform on a gradual basis over several years, or should Congress try to pass a comprehensive health care reform plan this year?"

		Over Several Years	This Year	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-19/09	58	38	4

"Suppose a health care bill passes this year. Do you think [see below] would get better, would not change, or would get worse than if no health care bill passes?"

		Get Better	Not Change	Get Worse	Unsure
		%	%	%	%

	"The quality of health care you and your family receive"
	10/16-19/09	19	40	39	2
	9/11-13/09	18	48	33	1

	"The costs you and your family pay for health care"
	10/16-19/09	22	27	49	3
	9/11-13/09	22	32	42	4

	"The health care coverage you and your family receive"
	10/16-19/09	20	40	37	2
	9/11-13/09	22	41	33	4

	"Insurance company requirements you have to meet to get certain treatments covered"
	10/16-19/09	25	25	46	4
	9/11-13/09	22	35	38	4

"Now thinking about some of the specifics of health care legislation being considered: If Congress passes a health care bill, do you think it should or should not include a public, government-run insurance plan to compete with plans offered by private insurance companies?"

		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-19/09	50	46	4

"Next, please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following as a way to pay for the health care bill. How about . . . ?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%

	"Reducing payments to Medicare providers, such as hospitals and doctors"
	10/16-19/09	36	61	3

	"Imposing a surcharge on federal income taxes for individuals with annual incomes over $280,000 and families with incomes over $350,000"
	10/16-19/09	59	38	3

	"Imposing a tax on insurance plans that have the most expensive benefit packages"
	10/16-19/09	34	61	4

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 16-18, 2009. N=1,038 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

"From everything you have heard or read so far, do you favor or oppose Barack Obama's plan to reform health care?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	49	49	2
	9/11-13/09	51	46	3
	8/28-31/09	48	51	2
	7/31 - 8/3/09	50	45	5
	6/26-28/09	51	45	4

"From everything you have heard or read so far, do you favor or oppose Barack Obama's plan to reform health care?" If favor or oppose: "Do you favor/oppose that plan strongly or only moderately?" Combined responses

		Favor Strongly	Favor Only Moderately	Oppose Only Moderately	Oppose Strongly	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	24	25	15	34	2
	9/11-13/09	26	25	14	32	4
	8/28-31/09	25	23	10	41	2
	7/31 - 8/3/09	23	27	12	33	5

"Who do you trust more to handle major changes in the country's health care system: Barack Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"

		Barack Obama	Republicans in Congress	Both Equally/ Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	50	34	15	1
	6/26-28/09	49	38	12	1

"What do you think would be better for the country -- if Congress passed a bill to change the country's health care system along the lines of what Barack Obama has proposed, or if the current system were left in place with no changes?"

		Passed a Bill	Kept Current System	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	53	44	3

"Now thinking specifically about the health insurance plans available to most Americans, would you favor or oppose creating a public health insurance option administered by the federal government that would compete with plans offered by private health insurance companies?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	61	38	1
	8/28-31/09	55	41	4

"Now thinking specifically about the health insurance plans available to most Americans, would you favor or oppose creating a public health insurance option administered by the federal government that would compete with plans offered by private health insurance companies?" If favor: "Which of the following statements comes closest to your view: [see below]?" Combined responses

				%
	Favor bill only if includes public option			40
	Favor bill even if did not include public option			18
	Favor public option, unsure on bill			3
	Oppose public option (from preceding question)			38
	Unsure			1

"Now thinking about the vaccine for the H1N1 flu, sometimes referred to as 'swine flu,' do you think that it is safe for people to get that vaccine, or do you think that vaccine has side effects that can lead to death or serious health problems in some people who get it?"

		Safe	Side Effects	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	49	43	7

"Do you think doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who may come in contact with people suffering from the H1N1 flu should or should not be required to get the vaccine against this flu?"

		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/16-18/09	56	42	2

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 15-18, 2009. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling health care?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	48	48	4
	9/10-12/09	48	48	4
	8/13-17/09	46	50	5
	7/15-18/09	49	44	7
	6/18-21/09	53	39	9
	4/21-24/09	57	29	13

"Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by Congress and the Obama administration? ... Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?" Options rotated

		Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	26	19	12	36	7
	9/10-12/09	30	16	12	36	6
	8/13-17/09	27	18	10	40	5

"In terms of expanding health care coverage to people who don't have it now, do you think the proposed changes to the health care system go too far, do not go far enough, or are about right?"

		Too Far	Not Far Enough	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	28	35	33	5

"In terms of controlling the costs of health care overall, do you think the proposed changes to the health care system go too far, do not go far enough, or are about right?"

		Too Far	Not Far Enough	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	30	36	29	6

"Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?"

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	57	40	3
	9/10-12/09	55	42	3
	8/13-17/09	52	46	2
	6/18-21/09	62	33	5

"Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?" If oppose or unsure: "What if this government-sponsored plan was run by state governments and was available only to people who did not have a choice of affordable private insurance? In that case would you support or oppose this idea?" Combined responses

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	76	23	1

"Which of these would you prefer? A plan that includes some form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can't get affordable private insurance, but is approved without support from Republicans in Congress. OR, A a plan that is approved with support from Republicans in Congress, but does not include any form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can't get affordable private insurance." Options rotated

		With Gov't- Sponsored Insurance	Without Gov't Sponsored Insurance	Neither/No Plan (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	51	37	6	7

"Would you support or oppose a law that requires all Americans to have health insurance, either getting it from work, buying it on their own, or through eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid?"

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	56	41	3

"Would you support or oppose a law that requires all Americans to have health insurance, either getting it from work, buying it on their own, or through eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid?" If oppose or unsure: "What if the government gave financial assistance in getting health insurance to people with incomes below about 40 thousand dollars for an individual, and below 88 thousand dollars for a family of four? In that case, would you support or oppose a law that requires all Americans to have health insurance?" Combined responses

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	71	28	1

"Do you think the health care plan creates too much government involvement in the nation's health care system, not enough government involvement or about the right amount?"

		Too Much	Not Enough	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	42	21	34	2
	9/10-12/09	45	12	41	1

"One idea would put a tax on the most expensive health insurance policies. Supporters say this would help pay for health care reform, and encourage insurers to offer cheaper policies. Opponents say this would make these policies too expensive for people who want them. Would you yourself support or oppose this tax?" Options rotated

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	35	61	4

"Medicare is the government health insurance program for people 65 and over. Do you think health care reform would strengthen the Medicare program, weaken Medicare or have no effect on it?"

		Strengthen	Weaken	No Effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	18	43	31	8
	9/10-12/09	22	40	32	6

"Just your best guess, do you think health care reform would increase the federal budget deficit, decrease it, or have no effect?"

		Increase	Decrease	No Effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	68	10	18	3
	9/10-12/09	65	9	24	2

"Do you have some form of health insurance or health care coverage, or not?"

		Yes	No
		%	%
	10/15-18/09	85	15
	9/10-12/09	86	14
	8/13-17/09	85	14
	6/18-21/09	84	16

Kaiser Family Foundation Kaiser Health Tracking Poll. Oct. 8-15, 2009. N=1,200 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).

"Which comes closer to describing your own views? It is more important than ever to take on health care reform now. OR, Given the serious economic problems facing the country we cannot afford to take on health care reform right now." Options rotated

		More Important Than Ever	Cannot Afford Right Now	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/8-15/09	55	41	4
	9/11-18/09	57	39	4
	8/4-11/09	53	42	6
	7/7-14/09	56	39	5
	6/1-8/09	61	35	4
	4/2-8/09	59	37	4
	2/3-12/09	62	34	4
	12/4-14/08	61	37	2

"Which comes closer to your opinion about what Congress and the President should do regarding health care reform this year? They should continue trying to pass a major reform of the health care system. They should stop trying to pass a major reform this year and instead work on passing a more limited version. They should leave health care reform for another time."

		Try to Pass Major Reform	Work on Limited Version	Leave for Another Time	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/8-15/09	49	22	26	3
	9/11-18/09	50	25	22	3

"Do you think you and your family would be better off or worse off if the President and Congress passed health care reform, or don't you think it would make much difference?"

		Better Off	Worse Off	Not Much Difference	It Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/8-15/09	41	27	28	2	3