CNN/Opinion Research Survey on Health Care

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 36%
• Oppose 61%

From what you know about the Senate health care bill, which of the following statements comes closes to your view?

• Those proposals would help you and your family if they became law 22%
• Those proposals would help other families in this country, but not you and your family 46%
• Those proposals would not help anyone in the country 29%

Who do you trust more to handle major changes in the country’s health care system – the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans in Congress?

• Democrats 43%
• Republicans 40%

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 53%
• Oppose 46%

If a bill similar to the one that the Senate is considering becomes law, do you think the federal budget deficit would or would not increase?

• Would increase 79%
• Would not increase 19%

If a bill similar to the one that the Senate is considering becomes law, do you think your taxes would or would not increase?

• Would increase 85%
• Would not increase 14%

Do you think the country would be better off if the Republicans controlled Congress, or if the Democrats controlled Congress?

• Democrats 40% (44%) {49%} [56%]
• Republicans 39% (34%) {34%} [31%]

Survey of 1,041 adults was conducted December 2-3. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted July 31 – August 3 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted April 3-5 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted January 12-15 are in square brackets.