While Congress Labors, Americans Are Dubious About Health Reform

A Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Dec. 10-13 finds the public opposed to the health care legislation being developed on Capitol Hill by 51 percent to 44 percent. Last month, 49 percent opposed the legislation and 48 percent supported it.

The Post/ABC poll says that 53 percent believe their own health care would cost more if proposed changes become law, compared to 33 who believe that will happen if the system is left alone. Fifty percent believe the quality of their care will be better if no changes are made, compared to 37 percent who disagree. Fifty-five percent believe the health care system overall will cost more if changes are made, while 35 percent say that will happen if they are not.

Forty-five percent believe health care reform will weaken Medicare; 24 percent say it will have no effect; and 22 percent say it will strengthen it. Two-thirds predict the federal deficit will increase of a health reform bill passes.

A George Washington University Battleground poll conducted Dec. 6-9 finds that 51 percent of those surveyed don't believe they or their families will benefit from changes while 39 percent do, with 9 percent undecided. Independents don't believe they or their families will benefit by a 65 percent to 25 percent margin.

Ninety-one percent overall say they are satisfied with the health care they and their families receive right now. Forty-nine percent believe that the country would benefit from reforms, but 44 percent disagree, with 7 percent undecided.

A Pew Research Center poll conducted Dec. 9-13 found that 47 percent oppose the health care proposals they know about compared to 34 percent who support them, not much different from last month's results. Of those who oppose health care reform, a third say they feel that way because it will mean too much government involvement, 17 percent say it is too expensive, 13 percent say their own health care may suffer, 11 percent believe it might mean cuts in Medicare, 10 percent worry it will cover illegal immigrants and 8 percent fear it might lead to government money being using for abortions.

A USA Today/ Gallup poll conducted Dec. 11-13 finds 48 percent of Americans would advise their member of Congress to vote against health care reform legislation while 46 percent would urge a vote in support, with 6 percent undecided. These figures include "leaners" on both sides. The last time a majority supported a vote for reform was in early October, when the number stood at 51 percent.

"As the debate has unfolded in recent months, the legislation has struggled to get even bare majority support," Gallup said.