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Healthcare System

Is It the Federal Government's Responsibility to Make Sure All Americans Have Healthcare Coverage?

Would you advise your representative in Congress to vote for or against a healthcare reform bill similar to the one proposed by President Obama?

(Asked of those who would advise their member to vote against a bill) Which would you rather see Congress do -- [ROTATED: start over and work to pass different healthcare legislation (or) not work on healthcare legislation at this time]?

COMBINED RESULTS: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

2010 Mar 4-7

%

Favor bill similar to one proposed by Obama

45

Oppose bill similar to one proposed by Obama

48

(Prefer Congress start over on different legislation)

(30)

(Prefer Congress not work on healthcare legislation at this time)

(18)

(Unspecified)

(*)

No opinion

7

* Less than 0.5%

(Asked of those who would advise their member to vote for a bill) What is the main reason you favor such a healthcare bill? [OPEN-ENDED]

BASED ON THOSE WHO WOULD ADVISE THEIR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO VOTE FOR A HEALTHCARE BILL

2010
Mar 4-7

2009
Sep 11-13

%

%

People need health insurance/Too many uninsured

29

36

System is broken/Needs to be fixed

18

16

Costs are out of control/Would help control costs

12

8

Moral responsibility to provide/Obligation/Fair

12

6

Would make healthcare more affordable

10

11

Don't trust insurance companies

5

4

Respondent or family member currently lacks coverage

4

7

To help senior citizens

4

3

To help the poor

3

4

Other

1

1

No reason in particular (vol.)

1

3

No opinion

*

2

* Less than 0.5%
(vol.) = Volunteered response

(Asked of those who would advise their member to vote against a bill) What is the main reason you oppose a healthcare bill? [OPEN-ENDED]

BASED ON THOSE WHO WOULD ADVISE THEIR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST A HEALTHCARE BILL

2010
Mar 4-7

2009
Sep 11-13

%

%

Will raise costs of insurance/Make it less affordable

20

9

Does not address real problems

19

10

Need more information/clarity on how system would work

8

14

Against big government/Too much government involvement (general)

8

17

Government should not be involved in healthcare

7

11

Healthcare is a privilege, not an entitlement

6

1

Would cost government too much/Too much spending/Increase the deficit

5

8

People should not be required to buy health insurance

5

2

Will affect respondent's current health insurance

4

4

Socialism/Socialized medicine

4

3

Oppose the "public option" proposal

3

4

Rushing it through process/Should take more time

3

4

Would hurt senior citizens/Medicare

3

4

Would pay for abortions

2

1

Has not worked in other countries

1

1

Illegal immigrants would benefit

--

2

Other

1

1

No reason in particular (vol.)

--

1

No opinion

1

3

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Would you advise your member of Congress to vote for or against a healthcare bill this year, or do you not have an opinion?

Vote for

Vote against

No opinion

%

%

%

2010 Jan 8-10

37

41

22

2009 Dec 11-13

36

43

21

2009 Nov 20-22

35

42

22

2009 Nov 5-8

29

38

33

2009 Oct 1-4

40

36

25

2009 Sep 11-13

38

40

22

2009 Aug 31-Sep 2 ^

37

39

24

2009 Aug 6-9 ^

35

36

29

^ WORDING: Would you advise your member of Congress to vote for or against a healthcare reform bill when they return to Washington in September, or do you not have an opinion?

(Asked of those with no opinion on healthcare bill) As of today, would you say you lean more toward advising your member of Congress to vote for a healthcare bill, or lean more toward advising your member of Congress to vote against a healthcare bill?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

Vote for/
Lean vote for

Vote against/
Lean vote
against

No
opinion

%

%

%

2010 Jan 8-10

49

46

6

2009 Dec 11-13

46

48

6

2009 Nov 20-22

44

49

7

2009 Nov 5-8

43

48

9

2009 Oct 1-4

51

41

8

2009 Sep 11-13

50

47

3

What would you say is the most urgent health problem facing this country at the present time? [Open-ended]

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

L.

OT.

DK.

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov

32

18

16

9

8

2

1

1

*

*

--

--

3

10

2008 Nov

30

25

--

11

12

2

2

2

1

1

*

--

4

10

2007 Nov

30

26

1

14

10

1

2

2

1

*

1

--

4

9

2006 Nov

22

29

1

14

8

3

6

1

1

*

1

*

6

8

2005 Nov

17

25

10

15

9

4

6

1

1

1

1

*

3

7

2004 Nov

29

29

2

9

7

2

5

*

1

*

*

*

8

8

2003 Nov

25

27

*

13

7

3

8

1

*

1

1

1

7

6

2002 Nov

14

25

1

21

7

5

8

1

1

2

*

1

5

9

2001 Nov

8

14

1

19

4

6

7

1

2

1

1

22

6

8

2000 Sep

13

25

--

20

3

3

18

1

1

1

2

--

6

7

1999 Feb

1

13

--

23

1

5

33

--

--

3

2

--

13

6

1997 Oct

13

9

--

15

*

3

29

--

--

2

6

--

18

5

1992 Mar

--

30

--

5

--

2

41

--

--

--

--

--

18

4

1991 Nov

--

20

--

6

--

2

55

--

--

--

--

--

14

3

1991 May

2

10

--

16

1

2

45

--

--

*

5

--

15

4

1987 Oct

--

1

--

14

3

7

68

--

--

1

4

--

8

3

KEY:
A. Access to healthcare
B. Healthcare/insurance costs
C. Flu
D. Cancer
E. Obesity
F. Heart Disease
G. Aids
H. Diabetes
I. Finding cures for diseases
J. Smoking
K. Drug/Alcohol abuse
L. Bioterrorism
OT. Other
DK. No opinion

Overall, how would you rate -- [ROTATED] -- as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

A. The quality of healthcare in this country

Excellent

Good

Only fair

Poor

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

21

37

26

14

1

2008 Nov 13-16

17

40

30

12

2

2007 Nov 11-14

17

37

29

16

*

2006 Nov 9-12

16

37

32

14

1

2005 Nov 7-10

16

37

33

14

*

2004 Nov 7-10

20

39

28

12

1

2003 Nov 3-5

18

42

28

12

*

2002 Nov 11-14

14

41

32

12

1

2001 Nov 8-11

15

38

34

12

1

* Less than 0.5%

B. Healthcare coverage in this country

Excellent

Good

Only fair

Poor

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

8

30

32

28

1

2008 Nov 13-16

4

22

42

30

1

2007 Nov 11-14

6

21

41

31

1

2006 Nov 9-12

6

19

41

33

1

2005 Nov 7-10

2

19

43

35

1

2004 Nov 7-10

4

26

41

29

*

2003 Nov 3-5

5

23

42

29

1

2002 Nov 11-14

4

26

41

27

2

2001 Nov 8-11

5

25

43

26

1

* Less than 0.5%

Are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the total cost of healthcare in this country?

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

26

72

2

2008 Nov 13-16

19

79

2

2007 Nov 11-14

17

81

2

2006 Nov 9-12

19

79

2

2005 Nov 7-10

20

79

1

2004 Nov 7-10

21

78

1

2003 Nov 3-5

20

79

1

2002 Nov 11-14

22

75

3

2001 Nov 8-11

28

71

1

1993 May 10-12 ^

8

90

2

^ WORDING: Now, thinking about healthcare in the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied, or dissatisfied, with ... Next, … The quality of healthcare in this country.

Which of these statements do you think best describes the U.S. healthcare system today -- [ROTATED: it is in a state of crisis, it has major problems, it has minor problems, (or) it does not have any problems]?

State of
crisis

Major
problems

Minor
problems

Does not
have any
problems

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

21

50

25

2

1

2009 Sep 11-13

17

56

25

2

*

2008 Nov 13-16

14

59

26

1

1

2007 Nov 11-14

17

56

24

2

1

2006 Nov 9-12

16

55

25

3

1

2005 Nov 7-10

18

52

28

1

1

2004 Nov 7-10

14

53

31

2

*

2003 Nov 3-5

14

54

30

1

1

2002 Nov 11-14

11

54

32

2

1

2001 Nov 8-11

5

44

47

2

2

2000 Sep 11-13

12

58

28

1

1

1994 Sep 6-7 ^

17

52

29

1

1

* Less than 0.5%

^ WORDING: Which of these statements do you think best describes the U.S. healthcare system today -- the healthcare system is in a state of crisis, it has major problems, it has minor problems, or it does not have any problems?

Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage, or is that not the responsibility of the federal government?

Yes, government
responsibility

No, not
government
responsibility

No
opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

47

50

3

2008 Nov 13-16

54

41

5

2007 Nov 11-14

64

33

3

2006 Nov 9-12 ^

69

28

3

2005 Nov 7-10 ^

58

38

4

2004 Nov 7-10 ^

64

34

2

2003 Nov 3-5 ^

59

39

2

2002 Nov 11-14

62

35

3

2001 Nov 8-11 ^

62

34

4

2000 Sep 11-13

64

31

5

2000 Jan 13-16

59

38

3

^ Asked of a half sample

Which of the following approaches for providing healthcare in the United States would you prefer -- [ROTATED: replacing the current healthcare system with a new government run healthcare system, (or) maintaining the current system based mostly on private health insurance]?

Replacing the
current system

Maintaining the
current system

No
opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

32

61

7

2009 Mar 27-29

39

56

5

2008 Nov 13-16

41

49

10

2007 Nov 11-14

41

48

11

2006 Nov 9-12

39

51

10

2005 Nov 7-10

41

49

10

2004 Nov 7-10

32

63

5

2003 Nov 3-5

38

57

5

2001 Nov 8-11

33

61

6

Do you currently have medical coverage through Medicare or [Medicaid/Medi-Cal]?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

29

70

1

2009 Sep 11-13

26

73

1

2008 Nov 13-16

29

70

1

2007 Nov 11-14

31

69

1

2006 Nov 9-12

33

67

*

2005 Nov 7-10

30

69

1

2004 Nov 7-10

30

70

*

2003 Nov 3-5

26

73

1

2002 Nov 11-14

27

72

1

2001 Nov 8-11

26

73

1

Do you currently have medical coverage through some other form of health insurance?

BASED ON ADULTS NOT INSURED BY MEDICARE OR MEDICAID

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

80

18

1

2009 Sep 11-13

79

20

1

2008 Nov 13-16

84

15

1

2007 Nov 11-14

83

16

1

2006 Nov 9-12

84

15

1

2005 Nov 7-10

81

19

*

2004 Nov 7-10

84

16

*

2003 Nov 3-5

87

13

*

2002 Nov 11-14

83

17

*

2001 Nov 8-11

84

16

*

SUMMARY TABLE: HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Private
insurance

Medicare/
Medicaid

No
insurance

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

57

29

13

1

2009 Sep 11-13

59

26

15

1

2008 Nov 13-16

60

29

11

*

2007 Nov 11-14

57

31

11

1

2006 Nov 9-12

57

33

10

*

2005 Nov 7-10

57

30

13

*

2004 Nov 7-10

59

30

11

*

2003 Nov 3-5

63

27

10

*

2002 Nov 11-14

61

27

12

--

2001 Nov 8-11

62

26

11

1

* Less than 0.5%

Who pays the cost of premiums on your health insurance? Do you or someone in your household pay the total cost, does an employer pay the total cost, or is the cost shared between the employer and you or someone in your household?

BASED ON ADULTS WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

Self/
Household

Employer
pays all

Costs are
shared

None/
Other
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

25

12

60

2

2

2008 Nov 13-16

19

15

64

1

1

2007 Nov 11-14

18

15

64

2

1

2006 Nov 9-12

20

15

62

2

*

2005 Nov 7-10

18

14

65

2

1

2004 Nov 7-10

18

17

64

1

*

2003 Nov 3-5

23

16

59

2

*

2002 Nov 11-14

21

19

57

2

1

2001 Nov 8-11

19

24

54

2

1

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Over the past year, has the amount YOU paid for your and your family's health insurance -- [ROTATED: gone up a lot, gone up a little, not changed, gone down a little, (or) gone down a lot]?

BASED ON ADULTS WHO PAY ALL OR PART OF THEIR HEALTH PREMIUMS

Gone up
a lot

Gone up
a little

Not
changed

Gone
down
a little

Gone
down
a lot

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

25

47

26

1

*

1

2008 Nov 13-16

24

48

22

3

1

2

2007 Nov 11-14

26

43

26

2

1

3

2006 Nov 9-12

29

46

19

3

1

3

2005 Nov 7-10

28

46

23

2

*

1

2004 Nov 7-10

28

48

17

5

1

1

2003 Nov 3-5

31

43

23

*

1

2

* Less than 0.5%

Within the last twelve months, have you or a member of your family put off any sort of medical treatment because of the cost you would have to pay?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

29

71

*

2008 Nov 13-16

29

70

1

2007 Nov 11-14

30

70

*

2006 Nov 9-12

30

69

1

2005 Nov 7-10

28

71

1

2004 Nov 7-10

26

74

*

2003 Nov 3-5

24

76

*

2002 Nov 11-14

25

75

*

2001 Nov 8-11

19

81

*

1991 Jan 3-6

22

77

1

* Less than 0.5%

When you put off this medical treatment, was it for a condition or illness that was -- very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious?

BASED ON WHO PUT OFF MEDICAL TREATMENT DUE TO COSTS

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not very
serious

Not at all
serious

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

16

42

33

8

*

2008 Nov 13-16

17

41

30

10

2

2007 Nov 11-14

15

45

28

10

2

2006 Nov 9-12

10

48

32

9

2

2005 Nov 7-10

18

37

31

13

1

2004 Nov 7-10

16

44

30

10

*

2003 Nov 3-5

6

42

44

8

1

2002 Nov 11-14

16

43

31

9

1

2001 Nov 8-11

15

47

23

13

2

1991 Jan 3-6

15

37

37

10

1

COMBINED RESPONSES

Put off
treatment
for serious
condition

Put off
treatment for
non-serious
condition

Did not
put off
treatment

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

17

12

71

*

2008 Nov 13-16

17

12

70

1

2007 Nov 11-14

18

11

70

1

2006 Nov 9-12

18

12

69

1

2005 Nov 7-10

16

12

71

1

2004 Nov 7-10

16

10

74

*

2003 Nov 3-5

12

13

75

*

2002 Nov 11-14

15

10

75

*

2001 Nov 8-11

12

7

81

*

1991 Jan 3-6

11

11

77

1

Overall, how would you rate -- [ROTATED] -- as excellent, good, only fair or poor?

The quality of healthcare you receive

Excel-
lent

Good

Only
fair

Poor

Not
appli-
cable
(vol.)


No
opin-ion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

38

43

13

4

1

1

2008 Nov 13-16

36

47

13

3

1

*

2007 Nov 11-14

33

50

12

3

3

*

2006 Nov 9-12

36

43

15

4

1

*

2005 Nov 7-10

29

49

17

3

2

*

2004 Nov 7-10

38

42

15

4

1

--

2003 Nov 3-5

33

49

13

3

2

*

2002 Nov 11-14

28

54

14

3

1

*

2001 Nov 8-11

31

49

15

3

2

*

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Your healthcare coverage

Excel-
lent

Good

Only
fair

Poor

Not
appli-
cable
(vol.)

No
opin-
ion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

29

40

17

10

3

1

2008 Nov 13-16

26

41

19

8

4

1

2007 Nov 11-14

25

45

15

8

5

*

2006 Nov 9-12

26

39

23

8

3

1

2005 Nov 7-10

20

43

21

11

4

1

2004 Nov 7-10

28

41

20

7

4

*

2003 Nov 3-5

22

44

23

6

5

*

2002 Nov 11-14

20

51

17

7

4

1

2001 Nov 8-11

22

46

20

6

5

1

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the total cost you pay for your healthcare?

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8

62

36

2

2008 Nov 13-16

58

39

3

2007 Nov 11-14

57

39

4

2006 Nov 9-12

54

42

4

2005 Nov 7-10

57

41

2

2004 Nov 7-10

58

41

1

2003 Nov 3-5

57

41

2

2002 Nov 11-14

58

39

3

2001 Nov 8-11

64

33

3

As you may know, the White House and congressional Democrats are moving toward passing a healthcare bill, though the details of the final bill are still being worked out. Based on what you know or have read, do you think -- [ROTATED: you will support the final healthcare bill, does it depend on some of the decisions that have yet to be made about the bill, or (do you think) you will oppose the final healthcare bill]?

Support

Oppose

Depends

No opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

25%

33

39

3

(Asked of those who say their support depends on decisions made for final bill) Just your best guess, do you think the remaining decisions of the healthcare bill will be made in a way that makes you -- [ROTATED: support the final bill (or) oppose the final bill]?

COMBINED RESULTS: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

Support/
Lean
toward
supporting

Oppose/
Lean
toward
opposing

Depends
(no lean)

No
opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

44%

49

4

3

Regardless of whether you favor or oppose healthcare legislation, what are some of the concerns you would have if a new healthcare measure is passed into law? [OPEN-ENDED]

2009 Nov 5-8

%

Net: Costs

24

(Costs to individuals, businesses; affordability/higher premiums)

(13)

(Costs -- nonspecific)

(6)

(Overall costs to government, taxpayers)

(5)

Government-run healthcare/Bureaucracy/
Government takeover/Socialized medicine

18

Making sure everyone is covered/Has access

12

Effect on quality of care

7

Government plan/Public option

6

Ability to get needed treatments/Rationing care/Wait times for care

5

Unclear how plan would work

5

Effect on senior citizens/Medicare

4

Increased taxes

3

Would provide coverage to illegal immigrants

3

Being able to see current doctors

2

Forcing people to have insurance/Fines for not having

2

How it will be paid for

2

Being able to keep current plan, benefits

2

Would pay for abortions

2

Coverage for prescriptions

1

Other

2

None/Nothing (vol.)

9

No opinion

8

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Responses total more than 100% due to multiple responses

Taking everything into account, if a new healthcare bill becomes law, do you think in the long run it will make the U.S. healthcare system -- [ROTATED: better, would it not make much difference, (or make it) worse] -- than it is now?

Better

Not much
difference

Worse

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8 ^

41

14

40

5

^ Asked of a half sample

Taking everything into account, if a new healthcare bill becomes law, do you think in the long run it will make your own healthcare situation -- [ROTATED: better, would it not make much difference, (or make it) worse] -- than it is now?

Better

Not much difference

Worse

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Nov 5-8 ^

26

31

36

7

^ Asked of a half sample

If Congress is going to reform the healthcare system, should Congress deal with healthcare reform on a gradual basis over several years, or should Congress try to pass a comprehensive healthcare reform plan this year?

Reform on
gradual basis

Pass
comprehensive
reform this year

No
opinion

%

%

%

2009 Oct 16-19

58

38

4

1994 Aug 8-9

68

28

5

1994 Jul 15-17

63

32

5

1994 Jun 25-28

62

33

5

1994 Jun 11-12 ^

55

39

7

1994 Apr 16-18 ^

59

37

4

^ WORDING: Do you think Congress should deal with healthcare reform on a gradual basis over several years, or should Congress try to pass a comprehensive healthcare reform plan this year?

Suppose a healthcare bill passes this year. Do you think -- [RANDOM ORDER] -- would get better, would not change, or would get worse than if no healthcare bill passes?

A. The quality of healthcare you and your family receive

Get better

Not change

Get worse

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Oct 16-19

19

40

39

2

2009 Sep 11-13 ^

18

48

33

1

^ Asked of a half sample

B. The costs you and your family pay for healthcare

Get better

Not change

Get worse

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Oct 16-19

22

27

49

3

2009 Sep 11-13 ^

22

32

42

4

^ Asked of a half sample

C. The healthcare coverage you and your family receive

Get better

Not change

Get worse

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Oct 16-19

20

40

37

2

2009 Sep 11-13 ^

22

41

33

4

^ Asked of a half sample

D. Insurance company requirements you have to meet to get certain treatments covered

Get better

Not change

Get worse

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2009 Oct 16-19

25

25

46

4

2009 Sep 11-13 ^

22

35

38

4

^ Asked of a half sample

If Congress passes a healthcare bill, do you think it should or should not include a public, government-run insurance plan to compete with plans offered by private insurance companies?

Yes, should
include

No,
should not

No
opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

50%

46

4

Next, please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following as a way to pay for the healthcare bill. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. Reducing payments to Medicare providers, such as hospitals and doctors

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

36%

61

3

B. Imposing a surcharge on federal income taxes for individuals with annual incomes over $280,000 and families with incomes over $350,000

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

59%

38

3

C. Imposing a tax on insurance plans that have the most expensive benefit packages

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

34%

61

4

When it comes to making changes to the healthcare system, how much trust do you have in each of the following -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or none at all? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. President Obama

Great
deal

Fair
amount

Not
much

None
at all

No
opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

23%

32

21

24

*

* Less than 0.5%

B. The Democrats in Congress

Great
deal

Fair
amount

Not
much

None
at all

No
opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

10%

38

27

25

1

C. The Republicans in Congress

Great
deal

Fair
amount

Not
much

None
at all

No
opinion

2009 Oct 16-19

4%

33

38

24

1

(Asked of those who would advise their member to vote for a bill or lean to voting for a bill) What is the main reason you favor a healthcare bill? [OPEN-ENDED]

THOSE WHO FAVOR A HEALTHCARE BILL

2009 Sep 11-13

%

People need health insurance/Too many uninsured

36

System is broken/Needs to be fixed

16

Would make healthcare more affordable

11

Costs are out of control/Would help control costs

8

Respondent or family member currently lacks coverage

7

Moral responsibility to provide/Obligation/Fair

6

To help the poor

4

Don't trust insurance companies

4

To help senior citizens

3

Other

1

No reason in particular (vol.)

3

No opinion

2

(vol.) = Volunteered response

(Asked of those who would advise their member to vote against a bill or lean to voting against a bill) What is the main reason you oppose a healthcare bill? [OPEN-ENDED]

THOSE WHO OPPOSE A HEALTHCARE BILL

2009 Sep 11-13

%

Against big government/Too much government involvement (general)

17

Need more information/clarity on how system would work

14

Government should not be involved in healthcare

11

Does not address real problems

10

Will raise costs of insurance/Make it less affordable

9

Would cost government too much/Too much spending/Increase the deficit

8

Will affect respondent's current health insurance

4

Oppose the "public option" proposal

4

Rushing it through process/Should take more time

4

Would hurt senior citizens/Medicare

4

Socialism/Socialized medicine

3

Illegal immigrants would benefit

2

People should not be required to buy health insurance

2

Has not worked in other countries

1

Would pay for abortions

1

Healthcare is a privilege, not an entitlement

1

Other

1

No reason in particular (vol.)

1

No opinion

3

(vol.) = Volunteered response

What do you, personally, see as the biggest problem with healthcare in the United States today? [OPEN-ENDED]

2009 Sep 11-13

%

Cost/Unaffordable

38

Too many uninsured

15

Insurance companies/Insurance company greed

13

Lack of availability/accessibility

8

Too many frivolous lawsuits/Medical malpractice

5

Too much bureaucracy/Government involvement

5

Overcharging/Excessive charges for medical procedures

3

Drug companies/Drug company greed

3

Problems with Medicaid/Medicare

3

Doctor/Hospital greed

3

Lack of portability of insurance

3

Illegal immigrants getting healthcare

2

Waste and fraud in the system

2

Cannot get insurance if have pre-existing condition

1

Other

2

Nothing (vol.)

3

No opinion

5

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Note: Responses total more than 100% due to multiple responses

If you had to choose, which goal would you say is more important in terms of healthcare -- [ROTATED: expanding healthcare coverage to include nearly all Americans (or) controlling rising healthcare costs in the U.S. today]?

Expanding
coverage

Controlling
costs

Neither
(vol.)

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

39%

59

1

1

(vol.) = Volunteered response

How satisfied are you with -- [RANDOM ORDER] -- [ROTATED: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied (or) very dissatisfied]?

A. The quality of medical care available to you and your family

Very
satisfied

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

Very
dissatisfied

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

39%

41

14

5

1

B. The cost of medical care for you and your family

Very
satisfied

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

Very
dissatisfied

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

20%

41

26

12

1

Please say whether each of the following is a major problem, a minor problem, or not a problem for you, personally? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Rising healthcare costs, including costs such as insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses

Major
problem

Minor
problem

Not a
problem

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

46%

31

22

--

(Asked of those with health insurance) Reductions in what your insurance plan covers, including coverage such as which doctors you can see

COMBINED RESULTS: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

Major
problem

Minor
problem

Not a
problem

Do not have
insurance

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

21%

21

43

15

*

* Less than 0.5%

(Asked of those with health insurance) Insurance company paperwork or other requirements for getting certain medical treatments covered

COMBINED RESULTS: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

Major
problem

Minor
problem

Not a
problem

Do not have
insurance

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

15

26

44

15

*

* Less than 0.5%

(Asked of a half sample) Suppose a healthcare bill passes this year. Do you think -- [RANDOM ORDER] -- would get better, would not change, or would get worse than if no healthcare bill passes?

2009 Sep 11-13
(sorted by "get better")

Get
better

No
change

Get
worse

No opinion

%

%

%

%

Healthcare coverage in the U.S.

40

20

37

2

The overall costs of healthcare in the U.S.

34

23

40

2

Insurance company requirements to get certain treatments covered

31

25

42

2

The overall quality of healthcare in the U.S.

30

26

41

2

As you may know, President Obama is proposing a healthcare plan that is designed to expand coverage to nearly all Americans without raising taxes on the middle class or lowering the quality of healthcare. If Obama's plan is passed, do you think it would or would not be able to accomplish all of these goals?

Yes, would
be able to

No, would
not be

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

38%

60

2

How confident are you that most of the cost of President Obama's healthcare plan can be paid for through cost savings in Medicare and other parts of the existing healthcare system -- very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not too
confident

Not confident
at all

No
opinion

2009 Sep 11-13

11%

32

19

37

1

As you may know, Congress is considering a bill that would increase the number of children eligible for government subsidized health insurance, but the Democrats in Congress and President Bush disagree on how much to increase the program. How closely have you been following the news about this -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

Very
closely

Somewhat
closely

Not too
closely

Not
at all

No
opinion

2007 Oct 12-14

17%

34

30

19

*

* Less than 0.5%

(Asked of a half sample) Based on what you have heard or read about this bill, who do you have more confidence in to handle this issue -- [ROTATED: George W. Bush (or) the Democrats in Congress]?

Bush

Democrats

Neither (vol.)

No opinion

2007 Oct 12-14

32%

52

10

5

(vol.) = Volunteered response

(Asked of a half sample) As you may know, the Democrats want to allow a family of four earning about $62,000 to qualify for the program. President Bush wants most of the increases to go to families earning less than $41,000. Whose side do you favor?

Bush

Democrats

Neither (vol.)

No opinion

2007 Oct 12-14

52%

40

3

4

(vol.) = Volunteered response

(Asked of a half sample) How concerned are you that expanding this program would create an incentive for middle class Americans to drop private health insurance for a public program, which some consider to be a step toward socialized medicine? Are you -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?

Very
concerned

Somewhat
concerned

Not too
concerned

Not
concerned
at all

No
opinion

2007 Oct 12-14

22%

33

25

17

2

For each of the following health conditions, please say whether you think it is a very serious problem around the world, a somewhat serious problem, or not a serious problem? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

A. HIV or AIDS

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

2007 Jun 11-14

82%

16

2

*

2006 Dec 8-10

89%

10

1

*

* Less than 0.5%

B. Cancer

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

2007 Jun 11-14

79%

20

1

1

2006 Dec 8-10

87%

11

1

--

C. Tuberculosis

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

2007 Jun 11-14

24%

51

23

2

2006 Dec 8-10

31%

48

17

3

D. Malaria

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

2007 Jun 11-14

24%

50

22

3

2006 Dec 8-10

28%

47

20

4

E. Poor nutrition

Very
serious

Somewhat
serious

Not
serious

No
opinion

2007 Jun 11-14

75%

22

3

1

2006 Dec 8-10

80%

18

1

1

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