Health Policy

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

Ipsos/McClatchy Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Jan. 28-31, 2010. N=1,127 adults nationwide. MoE ą 2.9.

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

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/28-31/10	37	51	12
	11/19-22/09	34	46	20
	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."
	1/28-31/10	49	42	9
	11/19-22/09	52	36	11
	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."
	1/28-31/10	52	38	10
	11/19-22/09	57	31	12
	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."
	1/28-31/10	77	15	8
	11/19-22/09	76	13	12
	10/29 - 11/1/09	75	17	8
	8/27-31/09	74	15	10

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Jan. 23-25, 2010. N=800 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.

"For each of the following issues, please tell me if you think Barack Obama is giving too much attention to this issue, too little attention to this issue, or the right amount of attention to this issue. Health care."

		Too Much	Too Little	Right Amount	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/23-25/10	44	16	38	2

"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
		%	%	%	%
	1/23-25/10	31	46	22	1
	1/10-14/10	33	46	18	3
	12/11-14/09	32	47	17	4
	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

"If the current health care legislation becomes law, will you consider it to be a step forward or a step backward?"

		Step Forward	Step Backward	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/23-25/10	44	49	1	6
	1/10-14/10	42	48	2	8

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan. 22-24, 2010. N=1,009 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

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

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/22-24/10	38	58	3
	1/8-10/10	40	57	2

"What do you think Congress should do on health care: pass a health care bill similar to the legislation that Congress has been working on for the past year, start work on an entirely new bill, or stop working on any bills that would change the country's health care system?"

		Pass Similar Bill	Work On New Bill	Stop Working On Any Bill	Other (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/22-24/10	30	48	21	1	1

"Just your best guess -- how likely do you think it is that a bill similar to the ones passed by the House and Senate will become law by the end of the year: very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?"

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Somewhat Unlikely	Very Unlikely
		%	%	%	%
	1/22-24/10	12	38	25	25

"Would you favor or oppose a health care bill that would create new regulations on the way health insurance companies operate but would not increase the number of Americans who have health insurance?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/22-24/10	47	51	2

National Public Radio Poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies (R) and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D). Jan. 20-21, 23, 2010. N=800 likely voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.

"Thinking now about health care: As you may have heard, President Obama has proposed a plan to change the health care system that recently passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate. From what you have heard about this plan, do you favor or oppose Obama's health care proposal?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/20-21, 23/10	39	55	5

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Jan. 20, 2010. N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.

"Which comes closest to your view? The President and Democratic leaders in Congress are right to make health care their top priority at this time. Health care is important but there are other problems that Congress and the President should address first. OR, Health care should not be a major priority for the President and Congress."

		Right To Make It Top Priority	Address Other Problems First	Should Not Be a Major Priority	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/20/10	32	46	19	4

"What do you think President Obama and the Democrats in Congress should do now concerning a health care reform bill? Should they continue to try and pass the health care bill now being worked out by Democrats in the House and Senate, or suspend work on the current health care bill the House and Senate are working on and consider alternative bills that can receive more Republican support?" Options rotated

		Try and Pass Current Health Care Bill	Consider Alternative Bills	Stop Working On Health Care (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/20/10	39	55	2	5

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Jan. 12-15, 2010. N=1,083 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.

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

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/12-15/10	44	52	4
	12/10-13/09	44	53	3
	11/12-15/09	47	49	3
	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
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/12-15/10	22	22	12	39	5
	12/10-13/09	25	19	11	40	5
	11/12-15/09	30	18	10	39	3
	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

"The plan could include a government insurance option only for people who can't get private insurance, the so-called public option. Or instead it could have the government negotiate with private insurers to have them offer these people insurance that meets government specifications. Which of these two approaches would you prefer: the public option or the alternative?"

		Public Option	Alternative	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/12-15/10	47	41	1	8	3

"The plan could include a tax on high-benefit health plans, or a higher income tax on wealthier Americans. Which of these two approaches would you prefer?"

		Tax On High- Benefit Plans	Tax On Wealthy	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/12-15/10	22	58	2	16	2

"Insurance plans in which the government is involved could be forbidden from covering abortions. Or they could have an option for people to buy private coverage for abortions separately through these plans. Which of these two approaches would you prefer: the one that's more restrictive on abortion coverage or the one that's less so?"

		More Restrictive	Less Restrictive	No Restrictions (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/12-15/10	50	46	2	2

"In the long run, do you think [see below] if the changes that have been proposed become law or if the current system is left as it is now?" Options rotated

		If Changes Become Law	If System Left As It Is	Same Either Way (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%

	"Your own health care will cost you more"
	1/12-15/10	53	35	7	6
	12/10-13/09	53	33	6	8

	"The quality of health care you receive will be better"
	1/12-15/10	38	50	7	5
	12/10-13/09	37	50	6	6

	"The country's health care system overall will cost more"
	1/12-15/10	56	37	3	4
	12/10-13/09	55	35	3	7

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

		Yes	No
		%	%
	1/12-15/10	87	13
	12/10-13/09	82	17
	11/12-15/09	84	15
	10/15-18/09	85	15
	9/10-12/09	86	14
	8/13-17/09	85	14
	6/18-21/09	84	16

"Say a candidate for Congress supports the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by Congress and the Obama administration. Would that make you more likely to support that candidate for Congress, more likely to oppose that candidate, or wouldn't it make much difference in your vote?"

		Support	Oppose	No Difference	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/12-15/10	22	31	45	2
	11/12-15/09	25	29	45	1
	9/10-12/09	22	23	54	1
	8/13-17/09	23	32	43	2

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Jan. 10-14, 2010. N=1,002 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
		%	%	%
	1/10-14/10	38	55	7
	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
		%	%	%
	1/10-14/10	26	64	10
	10/22-25/09	23	64	13
	9/17-20/09	21	65	14
	8/15-17/09	21	62	17

"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 B), MoE ą 4.4

		Not Doing Enough	Going Too Far	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/10-14/10	40	53	7
	10/22-25/09	44	51	5
	9/17-20/09	44	48	8
	8/15-17/09	41	54	5

"If the current health care legislation becomes law, for each of the following do you think it will make things much better, make things somewhat better, not make a difference, make things somewhat worse, or make things much worse? . . ."

		Much Better	Somewhat Better	No Difference	Somewhat Worse	Much Worse	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%	%

	"The ability to get health insurance even with a pre-existing medical condition" Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4
	1/10-14/10	31	36	11	7	8	7

	"Health coverage for many people who do not have it now"
	1/10-14/10	30	36	13	7	9	5

	"Benefits for people on Medicare, the government health care program for seniors"
	1/10-14/10	11	25	21	17	19	7

	"The cost of health care" Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4
	1/10-14/10	10	23	14	20	28	5

	"The quality of health care"
	1/10-14/10	10	21	21	19	24	5

	"Taxes on middle-class Americans" Half sample (Form A), MoE ą 4.4
	1/10-14/10	3	15	18	23	31	10

	"The federal deficit" Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4
	1/10-14/10	4	13	17	21	37	8

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Jan. 12-13, 2010. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.

"Based on what you know about the health care reform legislation being considered right now, do you favor or oppose the plan?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/12-13/10	39	51	10
	12/8-9/09	34	57	9
	11/17-18/09	35	51	14
	8/11-12/09	34	49	16
	7/21-22/09	36	47	16

"Do you think you and your family would be better off or worse off under the health care reforms being considered, or would the reforms not make much of a difference to your family?"

		Better Off	Worse Off	Not Much Difference	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/12-13/10	14	38	41	7
	11/17-18/09	16	37	37	9
	8/11-12/09	20	35	37	9

Kaiser Family Foundation Kaiser Health Tracking Poll. Jan. 7-12, 2010. N=2,002 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. N=1,022 adults, MoE ą 4.

		More Important Than Ever	Cannot Afford Right Now	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	54	39	7
	12/7-13/09	54	41	5
	11/5-12/09	58	36	6
	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

"As of right now, do you generally support or generally oppose the health care proposals being discussed in Congress? ... Is that strongly support/oppose or somewhat support/oppose?" Options rotated. N=980 adults, MoE ą 4.

		Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	19	23	10	31	16

"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
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	32	33	29	3	4
	12/7-13/09	35	27	32	3	3
	11/5-12/09	42	24	27	3	4
	10/8-15/09	41	27	28	2	3
	9/11-18/09	42	23	28	4	3
	8/4-11/09	36	31	27	2	4
	7/7-14/09	39	21	32	4	3
	6/1-8/09	39	16	36	3	5
	4/2-8/09	43	14	36	4	4
	2/3-12/09	38	11	43	4	3

"Do you think the country as a whole 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
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	42	37	12	3	5
	12/7-13/09	45	31	17	4	3
	11/5-12/09	54	27	11	3	5
	10/8-15/09	53	28	12	2	4
	9/11-18/09	53	26	14	4	4
	8/4-11/09	45	34	14	3	4
	7/7-14/09	51	23	16	4	6
	6/1-8/09	57	16	19	3	5
	4/2-8/09	56	15	21	3	5
	2/3-12/09	59	12	19	5	5

"As far as you know, is the health reform bill currently being discussed in Congress expected to increase the federal budget deficit over the next ten years, decrease the deficit over the next ten years, or is it not expected to have much impact on the deficit?" N=511 adults, MoE ą 5

		Increase the Deficit	Decrease the Deficit	Not Much Impact	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	60	15	17	7

"If Congress and the president did pass a health care reform bill, when would you expect that most of the provisions would take effect: this year, next year, three or four years from now, or further in the future than that?" N=511 adults, MoE ą 5

		This Year	Next Year	3 or 4 Years From Now	Further In the Future	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	11	25	45	17	2

"As far as you know, would the health reform bill currently being discussed in Congress provide coverage to all of the country's uninsured, most of the uninsured, only some of the uninsured, or none of the uninsured?" N=511 adults, MoE ą 5

		All	Most	Only Some	None	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	21	35	32	5	7

"As far as you know, if Congress and the president did pass a health care reform bill, would most people who currently get health insurance coverage through their employers keep their existing health insurance arrangements or would most people have to change their existing health insurance arrangements?" N=511 adults, MoE ą 5

		Keep	Have To Change	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/7-12/10	59	30	11

"I'm going to read you several specific elements that are included in the health care legislation currently being debated in Congress. For each, please tell me if that particular element makes you more likely to support the legislation, less likely to support it, or doesn't make much difference either way. The legislation would [see below]."

		More Likely To Support	Less Likely To Support	Not Much Difference	Unsure
		%	%	%	%

	"Provide tax credits to small businesses that want to offer coverage to their employees" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	73	11	14	2

	"Create a health insurance exchange or marketplace where small businesses and people who don't get coverage through their employers can shop for insurance and compare prices and benefits" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	67	16	14	2

	"Mean that most people who get health insurance through their jobs will keep the plans they have now" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	66	10	19	4

	"Prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums because of a person's medical history or health condition" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	63	24	11	2

	"Expand the Medicaid program to cover everyone with incomes under 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $29,000 a year for a family of four" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	62	22	14	3

	"Help close the Medicare 'doughnut hole' or 'coverage gap' so seniors would no longer have a period where they are responsible for paying the full cost of their medicines" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	60	21	15	3

	"Allow children to stay on their parents' insurance plans through age 25" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	60	22	15	3

	"Increase income taxes for individuals making more than $500,000 a year and couples making more than $1 million year as a way to help pay for health reform" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	59	24	16	1

	"Provide financial help to people who have incomes below 400 percent of the federal poverty level -- about $88,000 for a family of four -- and who don't get insurance through their jobs to help them purchase coverage" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	57	24	17	2

	"Reduce the federal deficit by at least $132 billion over 10 years" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	56	20	18	6

	"Provide coverage to at least 31 million people who are now uninsured" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	56	24	16	4

	"Prohibit use of federal money for abortions, except as allowed by current law, which is in cases of rape, incest or if the woman's life is in danger" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	55	26	16	4

	"Place a limit on the amount that insurance companies can charge older people compared to younger people" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	53	25	19	3

	"Require drug makers, medical device manufacturers and health insurance companies to pay a tax based on how much business they have, to help pay for health reform" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	53	26	17	4

	"Create a government-administered public health insurance option to compete with private health insurance plans" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	53	31	13	3

	"Specify the amount of money that insurance companies must spend on paying for health care compared with the amount they spend on administrative costs and their own profits" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	52	19	21	8

	"Prevent illegal immigrants from receiving any federal money to purchase health insurance" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	52	29	17	2

	"Prohibit insurance companies from charging women higher premiums than men" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	50	31	17	2

	"Increase the Medicare payroll tax for individuals making more than $200,000 a year as a way to help pay for health reform" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	49	31	18	2

	"Prohibit insurance companies from setting a limit on the total amount they will spend on a person's health care over their lifetime" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	48	34	16	1

	"Penalize all but the smallest employers if they don't offer health insurance to their workers" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	45	33	16	5

	"Limit future increases in Medicare payments to health care providers as a way to help pay for health reform" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	43	35	15	6

	"Require insurance plans to offer a minimum package of health insurance benefits, to be defined by the federal government" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	38	43	16	3

	"Impose a tax on insurers who offer the most expensive health plans, also called Cadillac plans, to help pay for health reform" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	35	40	21	4

	"Not fully take effect until 2013 at the earliest" N=493 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	23	40	34	4

	"Require nearly all Americans to have a minimum level of health insurance or else pay a fine" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	22	62	12	4

	"Cost at least $871 billion over 10 years" N=487 adults, MoE ą 5
	1/7-12/10	19	51	24	6

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Jan. 8-10, 2010. N=1,021 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

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

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	40	59	1
	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

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

		Favor	Oppose: Too Liberal	Oppose: Not Liberal Enough	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	40	45	10	4

"Would you feel enthusiastic, pleased, displeased, or angry if Congress passes a health care bill?"

		Enthusiastic	Pleased	Displeased	Angry	Other (vol.)/ Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	14	33	23	28	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
		%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	54	46	1
	12/2-3/09	53	46	1
	11/13-15/09	56	42	2
	10/30 - 11/1/09	55	44	1
	10/16-18/09	61	38	1
	8/28-31/09	55	41	4

"The two bills before Congress have different ways to pay for the costs associated with the changes they would make to the health care system. If you had to choose, would you rather see Congress pass a bill that raises taxes on high-income Americans, regardless of the kind of health insurance plan they have, or would you rather see Congress pass a bill that raises taxes on high-quality health insurance plans, regardless of the amount of money made by the people covered by those plans?"

		High-Income Americans	High-Quality Health Plans	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	61	29	9

Gallup Poll. Jan. 8-10, 2010. N=1,023 adults nationwide. MoE ą 4.

"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
		%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	37	41	22
	12/11-13/09	36	43	21
	11/20-22/09	35	42	22
	11/5-8/09	29	38	33
	10/1-4/09	40	36	25
	9/11-13/09	38	40	22

"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
		%	%	%
	1/8-10/10	49	46	6
	12/11-13/09	46	48	6
	11/20-22/09	44	49	7
	11/5-8/09	43	48	9
	10/1-4/09	51	41	8
	9/11-13/09	50	47	3

CBS News Poll. Jan. 6-10, 2010. N=1,216 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

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

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	36	54	10
	12/4-8/09	42	50	8
	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
		%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	29	57	14
	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
		%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	24	61	15
	11/13-16/09	23	62	15
	10/5-8/09	17	67	16

"Do you think the changes to the health care system under consideration in Congress go too far in trying to provide health insurance to as many Americans as possible, don't go far enough, or are the changes about right?"

		Go Too Far	Don't Go Far Enough	About Right	Not Clear Yet (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	32	35	22	2	9

"Do you think the changes to the health care system under consideration in Congress go too far in trying to control costs, don't go far enough, or are the changes about right?"

		Go Too Far	Don't Go Far Enough	About Right	Not Clear Yet (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	24	39	21	2	14

"Do you think the changes to the health care system under consideration in Congress go too far in trying to regulate the health insurance industry, don't go far enough, or are the changes about right?"

		Go Too Far	Don't Go Far Enough	About Right	Not Clear Yet (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	27	43	18	2	10

Pew Research Center Poll. Jan. 6-10, 2010. N=1,504 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
		%	%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	46	45	8	1
	12/9-13/09	51	39	9	1
	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
		%	%	%
	1/6-10/10	39	48	13
	12/9-13/09	35	48	17
	11/12-15/09	42	39	19
	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

CBS News Poll. Dec. 17-22, 2009. N=1,048 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3 (for all adults).

"Using a grading scale of A, B, C, D, and F -- where A is excellent and F is very poor -- and using any of the grades in between, how would you grade the U.S. on [see below]?"

		A	B	C	D	F
		%	%	%	%	%

	"Making efforts to combat obesity in this country"
	12/17-22/09	2	18	35	27	14

	"Its progress in finding a cure for Alzheimer's"
	12/17-22/09	4	21	39	20	7

"Which comes closer to your view about obesity? Obesity is mostly something that can be controlled with diet and exercise. OR, Obesity is mostly something that cannot be controlled."

		Can Be Controlled	Cannot Be Controlled	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	89	7	4

"Please tell me how serious a public health problem you think obesity is, that is, people being seriously overweight in this country? It very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious or not at all serious?"

		Very Serious	Somewhat Serious	Not Very Serious	Not at All Serious
		%	%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	57	38	4	1
	Men	47	44	7	1
	Women	66	32	1	0

	10/05	55	38	5	2

"Would you like to lose weight, stay at your present weight, or put on weight?"

		Lose Weight	Stay at Present Weight	Put On Weight
		%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	55	40	5
	Men	47	45	8
	Women	62	36	2

"Do you support or oppose putting a special tax on junk food -- that is, things like soda, chips, and candy?"

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	38	60	2
	Men	33	66	1
	Women	42	54	4

"Do you think putting a special tax on junk food would encourage more people to lose weight, or wouldn't it do that?"

		Would	Would Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	26	72	2

"How likely do you think it is that scientists will find a cure for Alzheimer's in your lifetime: very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not at all likely?"

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Very Likely	Not at All Likely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	9	45	32	12	2

"Have you had to care for a parent or relative with Alzhiemer's?"

		Yes	No
		%	%
	12/17-22/09	23	77

"How worried are you about getting Alzheimer's someday: very worried, somewhat worried, or not worried?"

		Very Worried	Somewhat Worried	Not Worried	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/17-22/09	6	39	54	1

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Dec. 16-20, 2009. N=1,160 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.

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

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/16-20/09	42	56	2
	12/2-3/09	36	61	4

"As you may know, the U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would make major changes in the country's health care system. Based on what you have read or heard 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	Other (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/16-20/09	42	39	13	2	4

"Thinking about the health care and health insurance that is available to most Americans, do you think the proposals in the Senate bill would change things for the better, change things for the worse, or not make any real changes at all?"

		Change for the Better	Change for the Worse	Not Make Real Changes	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/16-20/09	34	38	26	3

"Thinking about the health care and health insurance that is available to you and your immediate family, do you think the proposals in the Senate bill would change things for the better, change things for the worse, or not make any real changes at all?"

		Change for the Better	Change for the Worse	Not Make Real Changes	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/16-20/09	22	37	39	2

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Dec. 11-14, 2009. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.

"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
		%	%	%	%
	12/11-14/09	41	44	7	8
	10/22-25/09	45	39	8	8
	9/17-20/09	45	39	9	7

"As health care legislation is being debated in Congress, some changes to the legislation are being proposed. I am going to read you some of these proposed changes, and for each one, please tell me whether that proposed change is acceptable to you or not acceptable to you. . . ."

		Acceptable	Not Acceptable	Unsure
		%	%	%

	"The proposed legislation would no longer create a public health care plan administered by the federal government to compete directly with private health insurance companies."
	12/11-14/09	42	45	13

	"Instead of creating a government-administered public health care plan, the proposed legislation would create a health insurance plan offered by private insurers that would be available in every state for people who lack employer-provided coverage, and would allow people between the ages of fifty-five and sixty-four years old to buy into Medicare, the government health care plan for seniors."
	12/11-14/09	58	32	10

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. Dec. 10-14, 2009. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.

"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
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/10-14/09	40	41	12	5	2
	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
		%	%	%	%
	12/10-14/09	49	46	5	-
	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
		%	%	%	%
	12/10-14/09	36	44	18	2
	11/5-9/09	39	45	14	3
	10/1-5/09	40	40	17	3
	9/3-8/09	34	49	15	2

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 10-13, 2009. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5 (for all adults).

"Who do you trust to do a better job handling health care reform: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated. Half sample.

		Obama	Republicans in Congress	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/10-13/09	46	39	1	13	2
	11/12-15/09	50	37	1	10	2
	9/10-12/09	48	36	1	12	3
	7/15-18/09	54	34	1	10	1
	6/18-21/09	55	27	2	11	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
		%	%	%	%
	12/10-13/09	22	45	24	9
	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
		%	%	%	%
	12/10-13/09	66	11	19	4
	10/15-18/09