Most Back Enacting Health Reform Now, but Fewer Like the Specific Proposals

While 58 percent of Americans believe it is important to press ahead with health care reform now, even in the face of the country's economic problems, the level of support is far lower when people are asked if they like what they are hearing about the legislation, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted Nov. 5-12.

The margin for taking on reform now despite the cost is 58 percent to 36 percent with 6 percent undecided, a net improvement over last month, when the ratio was 55 percent to 41 percent.

When those polled were asked whether they like what they are hearing about the proposals being considered by Congress, 35 percent said they did, 33 percent said they didn't and 26 percent said the president and Congress should not take on reform at this time. Six percent expressed no opinion.

The two top reasons cited by Americans for tackling reform now were ensuring access to care and insurance (34 percent) and controlling health care costs (24 percent).

The two top reasons cited by those against reforming coverage now were that the U.S. can't afford it (27 percent) and that the focus should be on the economy first (26 percent).