Public Opposes Overall Health Plan, But Likes Key Provisions

Many key provisions of health care reform legislation are popular with Americans but support for the overall package has slipped, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted Sept. 30 - Oct. 4.

The poll found 47 percent oppose proposals being considered by Congress compared to 34 percent who support them and 19 percent undecided. In September, the public was closely divided at 44 percent opposed to 42 percent favoring with a smaller number of undecideds at 14 percent.

That said, support is remaining steady for specific proposals: 82 percent favored requiring insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, compared to 79 percent in July; 66 percent backed requiring everyone to have insurance with government help for those who couldn't afford it, compared to 65 percent in July; 59 percent supported requiring employers to provide health care or pay into a government fund, compared to 61 percent in July; 58 percent backed raising taxes on high-income families to help pay for reform, compared to 63 percent in July; and, 55 percent backed the idea of a government insurance plan to compete with private insurers, compared to 52 percent in July.

A Quinnipiac University poll released early Thursday made the same point about the gap between support for the overall plan and specific provisions. Pew said "the disconnect between support for specific elements of health care legislation and overall opposition to the proposals in Congress appears to be driven by a lack of understanding about what is being proposed, the complexity of the topic, and declining trust in Congress."