2007 Polling On Health Care

ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST
Conducted 9/27-30/07; surveyed 1,114 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/1).

There's a proposal to increase federal spending on children's health insurance by 35 billion dollars over the next five years. It would be funded by an increase in cigarette taxes. Supporters say this would provide insurance for millions of low-income children who are currently uninsured. Opponents say this goes too far in covering children in families that can afford health insurance on their own. Do you support or oppose this increased funding for this program? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? (rotated)

Support, strongly           49%
Support, somewhat           23
Oppose, somewhat             8
Oppose, strongly            17
No opinion                   3

Conducted 2/22-25/07; surveyed 1,082 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 2/27). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Who do you trust to do a better job handling ________, Bush or the Democrats in Congress? (rotated)

The situation in Iraq:

Bush                        34%
Democrats                   54
Both (vol.)                  *
Neither (vol.)               9
No opinion                   2

(Asked of a half-sample) The U.S. campaign
 against terrorism:

Bush                        39%
Democrats                   52
Both (vol.)                  2
Neither (vol.)               5
No opinion                   2

(Asked of a half-sample) The economy:

Bush                        36%
Democrats                   56
Both (vol.)                  1
Neither (vol.)               6
No opinion                   2

(Asked of a half-sample) The federal budget:

Bush                        32%
Democrats                   59
Both (vol.)                  1
Neither (vol.)               6
No opinion                   2

(Asked of a half-sample) Health care:

Bush                        25%
Democrats                   62
Both (vol.)                  1
Neither (vol.)               9
No opinion                   4

Conducted 1/16-19/07; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 1/22). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Some people say the Medicare program should be allowed to negotiate with drug companies to get better prices for prescription drugs for senior citizens. Others say this would give the government too much of a role in the marketplace and prevent drug companies from making the profits they need to develop new drugs. Do you think the Medicare program should or should not be allowed to negotiate prices with drug companies?

Should                      79%
Should not                  17
No opinion                   4

ASSOCIATED PRESS/AOL/IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Conducted 1/16-18/07; surveyed 1,005 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 1/22).

How important are each of the following issues to you personally? For each issue, please tell me if it is extremely important, very important, moderately important, slightly important or not at all important to you personally.

Health care:

Extremely important         42%
Very important              43
Moderately important        11
Slightly important           3
Not at all important         1
Refused                      0

The economy:

Extremely important         32%
Very important              52
Moderately important        12
Slightly important           2
Not at all important         2
Refused                      0

The situation in Iraq:

Extremely important         40%
Very important              41
Moderately important        13
Slightly important           3
Not at all important         3
Refused                      0

Terrorism:

Extremely important         39%
Very important              38
Moderately important        13
Slightly important           6
Not at all important         3
Refused                      1

Social Security:

Extremely important         31%
Very important              45
Moderately important        17
Slightly important           4
Not at all important         3
Refused                      0

Taxes:

Extremely important         27%
Very important              44
Moderately important        21
Slightly important           5
Not at all important         3
Refused                      0

Gas prices:

Extremely important         27%
Very important              41
Moderately important        22
Slightly important           6
Not at all important         4
Refused                      0

Political corruption:

Extremely important         26%
Very important              43
Moderately important        19
Slightly important           7
Not at all important         5
Refused                      0

Immigration:

Extremely important         21%
Very important              35
Moderately important        22
Slightly important          14
Not at all important         7
Refused                      1

Same-sex marriage:

Extremely important         13%
Very important              19
Moderately important        15
Slightly important          11
Not at all important        41
Refused                      1

And who do you trust to do a better job of handling ________?

Terrorism:

Democrats                   42%
Republicans                 44
Both equally                 8
Neither                      3
Refused                      3

Handling the situation in Iraq:

Democrats                   50%
Republicans                 38
Both equally                 8
Neither                      2
Refused                      2

Handling the economy:

Democrats                   51%
Republicans                 39
Both equally                 7
Neither                      2
Refused                      1

Taxes:

Democrats                   %51
Republicans                 39
Both equally                 7
Neither                      2
Refused                      1

Health care:

Democrats                   60%
Republicans                 29
Both equally                 7
Neither                      2
Refused                      2

Social Security:

Democrats                   53%
Republicans                 32
Both equally                 9
Neither                      3
Refused                      3

Same-sex marriage:

Democrats                   47%
Republicans                 36
Both equally                11
Neither                      3
Refused                      3

Immigration:

Democrats                   46%
Republicans                 38
Both equally                11
Neither                      3
Refused                      2

Immigration:

Democrats                   46%
Republicans                 38
Both equally                11
Neither                      3
Refused                      2

Gas prices:

Democrats                   55%
Republicans                 30
Both equally                11
Neither                      2
Refused                      2

Political corruption:

Democrats                   47%
Republicans                 25
Both equally                21
Neither                      3
Refused                      4

ASSOCIATED PRESS/IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Conducted 6/4-6/07; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 7/6).

How confident are you that the U.S. government is prepared to handle a major outbreak of an infectious disease?

Very confident               9%
Somewhat confident          32
Not too confident           33
Not at all confident        26
Don't know/Not sure          0

Conducted 5/22-24/07; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 5/29).

Which comes closest to your view?

In all circumstances, doctors and nurses
 should do everything possible to save the
 life of a patient                          30%
Sometimes there are circumstances
 where a patient should be allowed
 to die                                     68
Refused/No answer                            2

Do you think it should be legal or illegal for doctors to help terminally ill patients end their own life by giving them a prescription for fatal drugs?

Legal                       48%
Illegal                     44
No opinion                   5
Refused/No answer            3

If you were seriously ill with a terminal disease, would you consider ending your own life or not?

Yes                         35%
No                          55
Probably (vol.)              3
Maybe (vol.)                 2
Refused/No answer            5

Do you think that Michigan doctor Jack Kevorkian should have been jailed for assisting terminally ill people end their own life or not?

Yes                         40%
No                          53
Refused/No answer            7

CBS NEWS
Conducted 10/12-16/07; surveyed 1,282 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/17).

Currently, a government program provides health insurance for some children in low-income families. Would you favor or oppose expanding this program to include some middle-class uninsured children?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Favor                       81% 70% 90% 81%
Oppose                      15  23   7  15
Don't know/NA                4   7   3   4

(If "favor") Would you be willing to pay more in taxes in order to fund the expansion of this program?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         74% 68% 82% 71%
No                          17  23  13  18
Depends                      7   9   4   8
Don't know/NA                2   0   1   3

Conducted 9/14-16/07; surveyed 706 adults; margin of error +/-4% (release, 9/17). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Thinking about the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of health care in this country?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very satisfied              11% 22%  5%  9%
Somewhat satisfied          21  36  15  15
Somewhat dissatisfied       24  18  23  29
Very dissatisfied           42  22  55  44
Don't know/NA                2   2   2   3

Thinking about the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very satisfied               4% 10%  1%  4%
Somewhat satisfied          12  22   9   9
Somewhat dissatisfied       23  23  22  24
Very dissatisfied           58  43  67  60
Don't know/NA                3   2   1   3

How serious a problem is it for the United States that many Americans do not have health insurance -- very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious or not at all serious?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very serious                76% 55% 94% 73%
Somewhat serious            16  28   6  18
Not too serious              5  11   0   4
Not at all serious           3   6   0   3
Don't know/NA                0   0   0   2

Which do you think would be better for the country: 1. Having one health insurance program covering all Americans that would be administered by the government and paid for by taxpayers. 2. Keeping the current system where many people get their insurance from private employers and some have no insurance?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
One program for all         55% 43% 67% 52%
Current system              29  47  17  28
Combination (vol.)           3   2   3   5
Neither (vol.)               4   1   6   4
Don't know/NA                9   6   7  11

(Asked of registered voters) Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2008, do you have confidence in Hillary Clinton's ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about her approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   42% 11% 71% 34%
Uneasy                      48  86  21  50
Don't know/NA               10   3   8  16

Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2008, do you have confidence in John Edwards' ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about his approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   27% 12% 41% 22%
Uneasy                      50  73  36  48
Don't know/NA               24  14  24  30

Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2008, do you have confidence in Barack Obama's ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about his approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   30% 17% 38% 32%
Uneasy                      47  64  40  42
Don't know/NA               23  19  22  26

During President Bill Clinton's administration, Hillary Clinton proposed health care reform that was never passed by Congress. Do you think Hillary Clinton's past experience with health care would help her or hurt her in reforming health care if she becomes president?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Help her                    66% 45% 82% 62%
Hurt her                    25  48   9  26
No effect (vol.)             2   1   4   2
Don't know/NA                7   6   5  10

Looking back, do you think Hillary Clinton was mostly responsible for the lack of health care reform during the Clinton Administration, was that mostly something beyond her control or don't you know enough to say?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Mostly responsible           5%  8%  3%  5%
Mostly beyond her control   52  45  57  53
Don't know enough to say    39  45  37  38
Don't know/NA                4   2   3   4

(Asked of Democratic primary voters) Compared to the other candidates running for the Democratic party's nomination, do you think Hillary Clinton would do a better job handling the issue of health care, a worse job or about the same job on health care as the other Democratic candidates?

Better                      49%
Worse                        5
Same                        39
Don't know/NA                7

Conducted 2/8-11/07; surveyed 1,142 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 2/13).

How much confidence do you have in the government's ability to protect consumers from food-borne illnesses -- a great deal of confidence, some confidence, not much confidence, or no confidence?

Great deal                  15%
Some                        52
Not much                    24
None                         7
Don't know/NA                2

How concerned are you personally about food-borne illnesses? Would you say you are very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned about food-borne illnesses?

Very concerned              25%
Somewhat concerned          42
Not too concerned           25
Not at all concerned         7
Don't know/NA                1

Have you personally ever had a case of food poisoning or food-borne illness, or not?

Yes, past year               9%
Yes, longer ago             32
No                          58
Don't know/NA                1

CBS NEWS/MTV/NEW YORK TIMES
Conducted 6/15-23/07; surveyed 659 17-29 year olds; margin of error +/-4% (release, 6/26).

How important to you are government policies that provide insurance coverage to people who don't have it -- very important, somewhat important, not too important or not at all important?

Very important              60%
Somewhat important          28
Not too important            8
Not at all important         4
Don't know/NA                0

And do you think the candidates for president are making that enough of a priority, or not enough of a priority?

Enough                      32%
Not enough                  54
Too much (vol.)              1
Don't know/NA               13

Which of the following three statements comes closest to expressing your overall view of the health care system in the United States? 1) on the whole, the health care system works pretty well and only minor changes are necessary to make it work better or 2) there are some good things in our health care system, but fundamental changes are needed or 3) our health care system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it.

Minor changes               10%
Fundamental changes         55
Completely rebuild          35
Don't know/NA                0

Which do you think would be better for the country: 1. Having one health insurance program covering all Americans that would be administered by the government and paid for by taxpayers, or 2. Keeping the current system where many people get their insurance from private employers and some have no insurance.

One program                 62%
Current system              32
Combination (vol.)           2
Neither (vol.)               2
Don't know/NA                2

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES
Conducted 7/9-17/07; surveyed 1,554 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 7/19).

Regardless of how you intend to vote, how likely do you think it is that Hillary Clinton would make good decisions about the nation's health care system -- would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not at all likely?

                            All Men Women
Very likely                 43% 38% 48%
Somewhat likely             31  29  32
Not too likely              10  13   7
Not at all likely           15  18  11
Don't know/NA                1   2   2

Conducted 7/9-17/07; surveyed 1,554 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 7/19).

Which of the following three statements comes closest to expressing your overall view of the health care system in the United States? 1) On the whole, the health care system works pretty well and only minor changes are necessary to make it work better or 2) There are some good things in our health care system, but fundamental changes are needed or 3) Our health care system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it.

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Minor changes               11% 22%  7%  8%
Fundamental changes         50  49  47  54
Rebuild                     38  28  46  37
Don't know/NA                1   1   0   1

Conducted 2/23-27/07; surveyed 1,281 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 3/20).

Do you think advertising by drug companies is mostly helpful to consumers or mostly confusing to consumers?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Helpful                     19% 20% 17% 21%
Confusing                   77  76  79  75
Neither (vol.)               2   2   1   2
Don't know/NA                2   2   2   2

How often do you think you can trust what drug companies say in their advertisements -- all of the time, most of the time, some of the time, or hardly ever?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
All of the time              1%  2%  0%  1%
Most of the time            14  18  11  15
Some of the time            50  55  52  44
Hardly ever                 30  21  32  34
Never (vol.)                 4   4   3   6
Don't know/NA                1   0   2   1

Would you favor or oppose the government limiting the advertising of prescription drugs on television by drug companies?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Favor                       64% 65% 64% 64%
Oppose                      31  31  32  30
Don't know/NA                5   4   4   6

Some doctors are paid by drug companies to comment positively on prescription drugs produced by those companies. Do you think it is acceptable or not acceptable for doctors to be paid by drug companies to comment on prescription drugs?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Acceptable                  13% 17% 10% 13%
Not acceptable              85  81  89  84
Don't know/NA                2   2   2   3

Do you think doctors accepting money from drug companies influences the decisions those doctors make about patient care?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         85% 83% 83% 89%
No                          11  13  12   8
Don't know/NA                4   4   5   4

Conducted 2/23-27/07; surveyed 1,281 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 3/1). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to improve the health care system?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Republican                  19% 42%  3% 18%
Democratic                  62  37  91  52
Both (vol.)                  1   2   0   2
Neither (vol.)               8  10   2  13
Don't know/NA               10   9   4  15

Which of the following three statements comes closest to expressing your overall view of the healthcare system in the United States? 1) On the whole, the healthcare system works pretty well and only minor changes are necessary to make it work better or 2) There are some good things in our health care system, but fundamental changes are needed or 3) Our healthcare system has so much wrong with it that we need to completely rebuild it.

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Minor changes                8% 15%  5%  7%
Fundamental changes         54  64  50  51
Completely rebuild          36  21  44  40
Don't know/NA                2   0   1   2

Thinking about the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of health care in this country? Would you say you are very satisfied/dissatisfied or somewhat satisfied/dissatisfied? (rotated)

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very satisfied              11% 22%  5% 10%
Somewhat satisfied          27  40  23  21
Somewhat dissatisfied       29  20  35  31
Very dissatisfied           28  17  35  31
Don't know/NA                5   1   2   8

What about the health care you receive? Are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of the health care you receive? Would you say you are very satisfied/dissatisfied or somewhat satisfied/dissatisfied? (rotated)

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very satisfied              41% 55% 35% 39%
Somewhat satisfied          36  35  39  34
Somewhat dissatisfied        8   4  10   9
Very dissatisfied           12   6  13  16
Don't know/NA                3   0   3   2

Thinking about the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country? Would you say you are very satisfied/dissatisfied or somewhat satisfied/dissatisfied? (rotated)

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very satisfied               3%  5%  2%  3%
Somewhat satisfied          11  26   7   6
Somewhat dissatisfied       22  24  19  24
Very dissatisfied           59  44  69  60
Don't know/NA                5   1   3   7

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with YOUR health care costs, both expenses not covered by insurance and the cost of your insurance if any? Would you say you are very satisfied/dissatisfied or somewhat satisfied/dissatisfied? (rotated)

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very satisfied              20% 29% 18% 16%
Somewhat satisfied          23  30  19  22
Somewhat dissatisfied       19  15  20  22
Very dissatisfied           33  24  41  33
Don't know/NA                5   2   2   7

If you had to say, which do you think is a more serious problem right now -- keeping health care costs down for average Americans, or providing health insurance for Americans who do not have any insurance?

                                All Rep Dem Ind
Keeping costs down              31% 45% 27% 26%
Providing for the uninsured     65  52  70  69
Don't know/NA                    4   3   3   5

How serious a problem is it for the United States that many Americans do not have health insurance -- very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very serious                70% 57% 83% 67%
Somewhat serious            25  36  16  26
Not too serious              3   7   0   3
Not at all serious           1   0   0   2
Don't know/NA                1   0   1   2

How serious a problem is it for the United States that many American children do not have health insurance -- very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very serious                785 66% 89% 75%
Somewhat serious            16  25   9  17
Not too serious              4   7   1   4
Not at all serious           1   1   0   1
Don't know/NA                1   1   1   3

Do you think the federal government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, or isn't this the responsibility of the federal government?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Should guarantee            64% 41% 79% 65%
Not responsibility          27  51  13  23
Don't know/NA                9   8   8  12

(If "should guarantee") What if that meant that the cost of your own health insurance would go up? Then, do you think the federal government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, or not?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Should guarantee            76% 75% 79% 72%
Not                         18  22  15  19
Don't know/NA                6   3   6   9

How concerned are you about the health care costs you and your family might face in the coming years -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very                        52% 38% 62% 51%
Somewhat                    37  47  29  38
Not at all                  10  14   9   8
Don't know/NA                1   1   0   3

If you had to choose, which do you think is more important for the country to do right now, maintain the tax cuts enacted in recent years or make sure all Americans have access to health care?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Cutting taxes               18% 39%  7% 15%
Access to health insurance  76  55  90  76
Neither (vol.)               1   1   0   1
Both (vol.)                  2   2   2   2
Don't know/NA                3   3   1   6

Would you be willing or not willing to pay higher taxes so that all Americans have health insurance they can't lose, no matter what?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Willing                     60% 46% 74% 58%
Not willing                 34  49  22  35
Don't know                   6   5   4   7

(If "willing") Would you be willing or not willing to pay $500 a year more in taxes so that all Americans have health insurance they can't lose, no matter what?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Willing                     82% 73% 86% 82%
Not willing                 16  21  14  16
Don't know                   2   6   0   2

Do you worry that, in order to provide health care for everyone, the quality of your own health care will be diminished, or don't you?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Worry                       40% 48% 38% 38%
Don't worry                 55  46  57  59
Don't know/NA                5   6   5   4

Currently, a government program provides health insurance for some children in low and moderate income families. Would you favor or oppose expanding this program to include all uninsured children?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Favor                       84% 72% 93% 82%
Oppose                      11  21   5  11
Don't know/NA                5   7   2   7

(If "favor") What if that meant you would have to pay more in taxes? Then, would you favor or oppose expanding the government program to include all uninsured children?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Favor                       80% 79% 82% 80%
Oppose                      15  17  14  15
Don't know/NA                5   4   4   5

What if that meant the cost of your own medical insurance would be increased? Then, would you favor or oppose expanding the government program to include all uninsured children?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Favor                       71% 68% 71% 71%
Oppose                      24  26  23  23
Don't know/NA                5   6   6   6

Do you think it would be fair or unfair for the government in Washington to require all Americans to participate in a national health care plan, funded by taxpayers?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Fair                        43% 30% 54% 43%
Unfair                      48  61  37  49
Don't know/NA                9   9   9   8

Which do you think would be better for the country: 1. having one health insurance program covering all Americans that would be administered by the government and paid for by taxpayers, or 2. Keeping the current system where many people get their insurance from private employers and some have no insurance?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
One program for all         47% 27% 62% 48%
Current system              38  62  26  33
Combination (vol.)           4   3   3   6
Neither (vol.)               2   2   2   3
Don't know/NA                9   6   7  10

Some people have suggested requiring all Americans to have health insurance. Under this plan, employers would be required to provide insurance for all their workers or pay into a fund that would be used to buy insurance for people who do not have it. Does this sound like a good idea to you, a bad idea, or are you unsure?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Good idea                   36% 31% 43% 32%
Bad idea                    17  24  10  18
Unsure                      46  44  45  48
Don't know/NA                1   1   2   2

(If "good idea") What if that meant employers would have to cut some jobs in order to provide health insurance for other employees? Then, do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea, or are you unsure?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Good idea                   23% 23% 19% 29%
Bad idea                    31  35  38  21
Unsure                      44  39  41  49
Don't know/NA                2   3   2   1

Do you favor or oppose Congress changing the law to allow Americans to buy lower cost prescription drugs imported from Canada?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Favor                       77% 78% 79% 76%
Oppose                      16  17  15  17
Don't know/NA                7   5   6   7

Do you think the government would do a better or worse job than private insurance companies in providing medical coverage?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Better                      30% 21% 41% 26%
Worse                       44  60  36  42
Same (vol.)                  3   2   3   4
Don't know/NA               23  17  20  28

Do you think the government would do a better or worse job than private insurance companies in holding down health care costs?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Better                      47% 42% 56% 42%
Worse                       37  48  29  36
Same (vol.)                  2   2   3   2
Don't know/NA               14   8  12  20

Which one of the following health care issues would you most like to hear the 2008 presidential candidates talk about over the next two years: 1. reducing health care costs, 2. expanding health insurance coverage for the uninsured, 3. improving the overall quality of care or 4. improving the Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors? (rotated)

                                All Rep Dem Ind
Reducing costs                  28% 35% 23% 27%
Coverage for uninsured          34  22  35  40
Improving quality of health
 care                           18  17  21  16
Improving Medicare Rx benefit   18  24  19  13
None (vol.)                      0   0   0   1
Don't know/NA                    2   2   2   3

(Asked of registered voters) Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2008, do you have confidence in Hillary Rodham Clinton's ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about her approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   36% 12% 60% 32%
Uneasy                      51  80  29  49
Don't know/NA               13   8  11  19

Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2008, do you have confidence in John Edward's ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about his approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   22% 12% 32% 22%
Uneasy                      50  64  41  47
Don't know/NA               28  24  27  31

Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2008, do you have confidence in Barack Obama's ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about his approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   25% 13% 36% 23%
Uneasy                      44  57  39  38
Don't know/NA               31  30  26  39

Do you have confidence in George W. Bush's ability to make the right decisions about health care or are you uneasy about his approach?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Confident                   17% 39%  7% 12%
Uneasy                      77  55  89  80
Don't know/NA                6   6   4   8

Do you have some form of health insurance or health care coverage, or not?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         89% 90% 91% 86%
No                          11  10   9  14
Don't know/NA                0   0   0   0

Are you covered by health insurance through an employer, a union, or through a plan you got on your own, or are you covered by Medicare or Medicaid?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Employer/Union/Self         72% 73% 69% 75%
Medicare/Medicaid           16  15  18  14
Both private and Medicare   11  11  11  10
Don't know/NA                1   1   2   1

What type of health insurance plan do you have -- 1. a traditional insurance plan where you use any doctor and the plan reimburses all or part of your costs, or 2. a health maintenance organization, or HMO, where you only use the HMO doctors and almost all of your costs are covered, sometimes with a small fee, or 3. a preferred provider organization, or PPO, where certain doctors belong to the plan and you get reimbursed according to whether or not a doctor is a member of the plan?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Traditional                 30% 26% 28% 33%
HMO                         30  31  30  29
PPO                         36  39  36  34
Other (vol.)                 2   2   3   2
Don't know/NA                2   2   3   2

Does your health care coverage give you access to good medical care at an affordable cost, or not?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         87% 91% 84% 88%
No                          11   8  15  10
Don't know/NA                2   1   1   2

Have you or has anyone in your household ever decided not to have a medical test, treatment or care because your health plan would not cover it?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         24% 16% 29% 25%
No                          75  84  70  74
Don't know/NA                1   0   1   1

In recent years, has the employer of you or anyone in your household cut back on health care benefits or made the wage earner pay more for those benefits?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         49% 50% 50% 47%
No                          56  46  42  49
Not employed (vol.)          3   3   4   2
Don't know/NA                2   1   4   2

(If no health insurance) What is the main reason you do not currently have health insurance?

Can't afford it/No money                    52%
Don't have a job/Just lost my job           14
Only work part time/No full-time job         8
Job does not offer insurance                 5
Don't need any health insurance              2
Can't get ins. b/c of health problems        2
Other                                       11
Don't know/NA                                6

How concerned are you about the possibility that you will have major health care bills in the next few years -- very concerned, somewhat concerned or not at all concerned?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very concerned              36% 35% 43% 31%
Somewhat concerned          43  44  41  43
Not at all concerned        20  21  16  22
Don't know/NA                1   0   0   4

In your household, who is the best informed about health-related issues in general --- is it you or someone else?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Respondent                  60% 57% 65% 58%
Someone else                33  34  30  35
Both (vol.)                  6   7   5   7
Don't know/NA                1   2   0   0

(If no health insurance) Have you or has anyone in your household ever gone without medical treatment or care because of the cost of that treatment?

Yes                         61%
No                          39

In the past 12 months have you put off any major purchases because of the cost of healthcare?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         24% 17% 29% 23%
No                          76  82  70  76
Don't know/NA                0   1   1   1

(If respondent has health insurance) In the last 12 months, was there any time when you or anyone in your household had no health insurance of any kind?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         20% 12% 22% 24%
No                          76  82  70  76
Don't know/NA                0   1   1   1

(If respondent has health insurance) Are you concerned that in the next five years, you or anyone in your household might lose your health insurance for any reason such as changing jobs or developing a serious illness?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Yes                         38% 31% 49% 33%
No                          59  68  49  62
Don't know/NA                3   1   2   5

In general, how concerned are you about not having enough money to pay for your current health care costs -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very concerned              26% 22% 32% 25%
Somewhat concerned          38  36  40  38
Not at all concerned        35  42  28  36
Don't know/NA                1   0   0   1

How concerned are you about not having enough money for retirement -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very concerned              38% 29% 42% 40%
Somewhat concerned          37  38  37  36
Not at all concerned        24  31  20  24
Don't know/NA                1   2   1   0

How concerned are you about not having enough money to pay for your healthcare costs as you age -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Very concerned              40% 30% 47% 40%
Somewhat concerned          41  43  36  44
Not at all concerned        19  27  17  16
Don't know/NA                0   0   0   0

CNN/OPINION RESEARCH CORPORATION
Conducted 10/12-14/07; surveyed 1,212 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/17).

As you may know, President Bush vetoed a bill passed by Congress that would create a program to spend 35 billion dollars to provide health insurance to some children in middle-income families. Do you think Congress should vote to create that program by overriding Bush's veto, or do you think Congress should vote to block that program by sustaining Bush's veto?

Congress should override veto               61%
Congress should sustain veto                35
No opinion                                   4

Conducted 5/4-6/07; surveyed 1,028 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 5/9). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Do you think the government should provide a national health insurance program for all Americans, even if this would require higher taxes?

Yes                             64%
No                              35
No opinion                       2

Do you think the government should provide a national health insurance program for all children under the age of 18, even if this would require higher taxes?

Yes                             73%
No                              25
No opinion                       2

Do you think all employers, including small businesses which employ few workers, should be required to provide health insurance to every employee, or don't you think so?

Yes                             56%
No                              43
No opinion                       1

FOX NEWS/OPINION DYNAMICS
Conducted 5/15-16/07; surveyed 900 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 5/17).

How important will each of the following issues be to your vote for president? (random order)

The situation in Iraq:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     52% 60%  45% 48%
Very important         37  32   43  46
Somewhat importnat      8   5   10  12
Not at all important    2   1    2   3
Don't know              1   2    0   1

Terrorism: 

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     43% 42%  48% 37%
Very important         38  36   41  41
Somewhat importnat     16  18    9  18
Not at all important    3   3    1   5
Don't know              1   1    1   1

Health care:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     41% 49%  31% 40%
Very important         41  44   42  40
Somewhat importnat     14   6   22  16
Not at all important    3   1    5   4
Don't know              0   0    0   0

The economy:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     37% 44%  27% 39%
Very important         48  43   55  45
Somewhat importnat     13  12   15  12
Not at all important    2   1    2   3
Don't know              0   0    0   0

Moral values:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     33% 31%  41% 28%
Very important         37  34   41  36
Somewhat importnat     21  23   15  24
Not at all important    7   9    2  12
Don't know              2   3    1   0

Illegal immigration:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     30% 27%  35% 33%
Very important         37  33   44  32
Somewhat importnat     25  32   17  27
Not at all important    6   6    3   8
Don't know              1   2    1   1

The environment:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     28% 39%  12% 31%
Very important         42  43   41  44
Somewhat importnat     23  15   36  20
Not at all important    6   2   10   5
Don't know              1   1    1   0

Abortion:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     23% 22%  33% 16%
Very important         28  32   24  26
Somewhat importnat     27  25   26  33
Not at all important   19  19   15  21
Don't know              3   3    1   4

Gun control:

                       All Dem GOP Ind
Extremly important     22% 29%  17% 19%
Very important         29  28   30  29
Somewhat importnat     29  26   29  35
Not at all important   19  15   23  17
Don't know              1   2    1   1

Conducted 4/17-18/07; surveyed 900 registered voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 4/19).

In general, do you think the quality of health care in the United States is higher or lower than it is in most countries around the world?

                            All Dem Rep Ind
Higher                      68% 67% 72% 62%
Lower                       23  25  19  28
Same (vol.)                  2   2   1   5
Don't know                   7   6   7   6

GALLUP
Conducted 6/11-14/07; surveyed 1,007 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 6/22). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

(Asked of Form A half-sample) 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?

HIV or AIDS:

Very serious                82%
Somewhat serious            16
Not serious                  2
No opinion                   *

Cancer:

Very serious                79%
Somewhat serious            20
Not serious                  1
No opinion                   1

Tuberculosis:

Very serious                24%
Somewhat serious            51
Not serious                 23
No opinion                   2

Malaria:

Very serious                24%
Somewhat serious            50
Not serious                 22
No opinion                   3

Poor nutrition:

Very serious                75%
Somewhat serious            22
Not serious                  3
No opinion                   1

Conducted 6/11-14/07; surveyed 1,007 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 6/21). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one -- a great deal, quite a lot, some or very little?

The military:

Great deal                  39%
Quite a lot                 30
Some                        21
Very little                  8
None (vol.)                  1
No opinion                   *

Small business:

Great deal                  24%
Quite a lot                 35
Some                        32
Very little                  7
None (vol.)                  *
No opinion                   2

The Police:

Great deal                  23%
Quite a lot                 31
Some                        33
Very little                 12
None (vol.)                  1
No opinion                   1

The Church or organized religion:

Great deal                  24%
Quite a lot                 22
Some                        30
Very little                 21
None (vol.)                  2
No opinion                   2

Banks:

Great deal                  15%
Quite a lot                 26
Some                        44
Very little                 13
None (vol.)                  1
No opinion                   1

The U.S. Supreme Court:

Great deal                  14%
Quite a lot                 20
Some                        41
Very little                 21
None (vol.)                  2
No opinion                   2

The public schools:

Great deal                  14%
Quite a lot                 19
Some                        41
Very little                 25
None (vol.)                  1
No opinion                   1

The medical system:

Great deal                  13%
Quite a lot                 18
Some                        38
Very little                 28
None (vol.)                  2
No opinion                   1

The Presidency:

Great deal                  12%
Quite a lot                 13
Some                        28
Very little                 39
None (vol.)                  7
No opinion                   1

Television news:

Great deal                  10%
Quite a lot                 13
Some                        40
Very little                 33
None (vol.)                  3
No opinion                   1

Newspapers:

Great deal                   8%
Quite a lot                 14
Some                        48
Very little                 26
None (vol.)                  2
No opinion                   1

Organized labor:

Great deal                   8%
Quite a lot                 11
Some                        45
Very little                 29
None (vol.)                  3
No opinion                   3

The criminal justice system:

Great deal                   7%
Quite a lot                 12
Some                        44
Very little                 33
None (vol.)                  2
No opinion                   1

Big business:

Great deal                   7%
Quite a lot                 11
Some                        39
Very little                 38
None (vol.)                  3
No opinion                   2

Health Maintenance Organizations, HMOs:

Great deal                   7%
Quite a lot                  8
Some                        39
Very little                 38
None (vol.)                  4
No opinion                   4

Congress:

Great deal                   4%
Quite a lot                 10
Some                        46
Very little                 36
None (vol.)                  3
No opinion                   1

Conducted 5/10-13/07; surveyed 1,003 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 5/31).

(Asked of Form B half-sample) When a person has a disease that cannot be cured and is living in severe pain, do you think doctors should or should not be allowed by law to assist the patient to commit suicide if the patient requests it?

Should                      56%
Should not                  38
No opinion                   6

Next, I'm going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong.

Doctor assisted suicide:

Morally acceptable          49%
Morally wrong               44
Depends on situation (vol.)  5
Not a moral issue (vol.)     0
No opinion                   2

Conducted 1/15-18/07; surveyed 1,018 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 1/23).

How satisfied are you with the availability of affordable health care?

Very satisfied                   8% 
Somewhat satisfied              17
Somewhat dissatisfied           27
Very dissatisfied               46 
No opinion                       2

How satisfied are you with the quality of medical care in the nation?

Very satisfied                  17% 
Somewhat satisfied              30
Somewhat dissatisfied           26
Very dissatisfied               25 
No opinion                       2

GALLUP/USA TODAY
Conducted 10/12-14/07; surveyed 1,009 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/16). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

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                17%
Somewhat closely            34
Not too closely             30
Not at all                  19
No opinion                   *

(Asked of Form 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 -- George W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress? (rotated)

Bush                        32%
Democrats                   52
Neither (vol.)              10
No opinion                   5

(Asked of Form B 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? (rotated)

Bush                        52%
Democrats                   40
Neither (vol.)               3
No opinion                   4

(Asked of Form B 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              22%
Somewhat concerned          33
Not too concerned           25
Not concerned at all        17
No opinion                   2

Conducted 1/5-7/07; surveyed 1,004 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 1/9).

Next, how important is it to you that the president and Congress deal with each of the following issues in the next year? Is it extremely important, very important, moderately important, or not that important?

Crime:

Extremely important         36%
Very important              36
Moderately important        24
Not that important           4
No opinion                   1

The economy:

Extremely important         42%
Very important              39
Moderately important        16
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

Energy policies:

Extremely important         36%
Very important              39
Moderately important        21
Not that important           3
No opinion                   2

Health care:

Extremely important         50%
Very important              36
Moderately important        11
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

Immigration:

Extremely important         38%
Very important              31
Moderately important        25
Not that important           6
No opinion                   1

Social Security:

Extremely important         45%
Very important              35
Moderately important        17
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

Medicare:

Extremely important         43%
Very important              37
Moderately important        17
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

The situation in Iraq:

Extremely important         62%
Very important              28
Moderately important         7
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

Terrorism:

Extremely important         55%
Very important              31
Moderately important        12
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

The problems caused by Hurricane Katrina:

Extremely important         28%
Very important              34
Moderately important        30
Not that important           8
No opinion                   1

Corruption in government:

Extremely important         52%
Very important              31
Moderately important        14
Not that important           2
No opinion                   1

The federal budget deficit:

Extremely important         42%
Very important              34
Moderately important        19
Not that important           3
No opinion                   1

GREENBERG QUINLAN ROSNER (D)
Conducted 3/20-25/07; surveyed 1,017 likely voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 4/6).

Now I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.

The country faces big problems OR The country
 faces manageable problems that need some change:

1st, strongly               49%
1st, not strongly            5
2nd, not strongly            8
2nd, strongly               35
Both                         1
Neither                      0
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) We need to act
 boldly to address the problems facing the
 country OR We need to act step-by-step to
 address the problem facing the country:

1st, strongly               45%
1st, not strongly            4
2nd, not strongly           10
2nd, strongly               36
Both                         2
Neither                      0
Don't know/Refused           2

(Asked of Form B half-sample) We need to make
 government accountable and act boldly to
 address the problems facing the country OR
 We need to make government accountable and then
 act step-by-step to address the problems facing
 the country:

1st, strongly               42%
1st, not strongly            7
2nd, not strongly            9
2nd, strongly               37
Both                         1
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           4

We need a leader with new ideas OR We need a
 leader with experience:

1st, strongly               32%
1st, not strongly            9
2nd, not strongly            8
2nd, strongly               38
Both                        10
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           2

The current course cannot bring stability and
 we need to start reducing the number of U.S.
 troops in Iraq OR We must stay the course
 to achieve stability and finish the job in Iraq:

1st, strongly               50%
1st, not strongly            7
2nd, not strongly            7
2nd, strongly               33
Both                         0
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           2

(Asked of Form B half-sample) I'm hopeful about
 what the Congress is doing OR I'm doubtful
 about what the Congress is doing:

1st, strongly               30%
1st, not strongly           17
2nd, not strongly            8
2nd, strongly               39
Both                         1
Neither                      0
Don't know/Refused           4

(Asked of Form A half-sample) President Bush is
 being divisive and partisan. OR The Democrats in
 Congress are being divisive and partisan:

1st, strongly               35%
1st, not strongly            7
2nd, not strongly            9
2nd, strongly               27
Both                         8
Neither                      3
Don't know/Refused          11

I'm more concerned that the Republicans will
 wait too long to withdraw our troops from Iraq.
 OR I'm more concerned that the Democrats will
 leave Iraq too quickly:

1st, strongly               43%
1st, not strongly            6
2nd, not strongly            6
2nd, strongly               39
Both                         1
Neither                      2
Don't know/Refused           3

(Asked of Form A half-sample) On energy
 independence, we need to act boldly to address
 the problems OR On energy independence, we need
 to act step-by-step to address the problems:

1st, strongly               59%
1st, not strongly            4
2nd, not strongly            7
2nd, strongly               26
Both                         1
Neither                      0
Don't know/Refused           2

(Asked of Form B half-sample) On health care, we
 need to act boldly to address the problems OR
 On health care, we need to act step-by-step to
 address the problems:

1st, strongly               53%
1st, not strongly            4
2nd, not strongly           10
2nd, strongly               30
Both                         1
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           1

We need to change the health care system so
 everyone has access to affordable health
 insurance OR We need to fix big health
 care problems, like children not having
 insurance and the high cost of prescription
 drugs:

1st, strongly               53%
1st, not strongly            8
2nd, not strongly            9
2nd, strongly               22
Both                         5
Neither                      2
Don't know/Refused           2

On immigration, we need to get control of the
 border and bar illegal employment but allow the
 illegal immigrants who have been here working
 for a long time to get on a path to citizenship.
 OR On immigration, we need to get control of the
 border, deport those here illegally and stop
 illegal immigrants from getting government
 benefits:

1st, strongly               35%
1st, not strongly           14
2nd, not strongly            5
2nd, strongly               42
Both                         1
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) For my vote,
 affordable health insurance is the more
 important issue OR For my vote, energy
 independence is the more important issue:

1st, strongly               43%
1st, not strongly           11
2nd, not strongly            8
2nd, strongly               26
Both                         9
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           2

(Asked of Form B half-sample) For my vote, middle
 class incomes and costs are the more important
 issues OR For my vote, energy independence is
 the more important issue:

1st, strongly               39%
1st, not strongly           10
2nd, not strongly           11
2nd, strongly               33
Both                         5
Neither                      0
Don't know/Refused           3

(Asked of Form A half-sample) For my vote, making
 government accountable is the more important
 issue OR For my vote, energy independence is the
 more important issue:

1st, strongly               48%
1st, not strongly           10
2nd, not strongly            7
2nd, strongly               27
Both                         5
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           3

(Asked of Form B half-sample) For my vote, making
 government accountable is the more important
 issue OR For my vote, affordable health
 insurance is the more important issue:

1st, strongly               35%
1st, not strongly           11
2nd, not strongly            9
2nd, strongly               35
Both                         6
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           3

(Asked of Form A half-sample) For my vote, Iraq
 is the more important issue OR For my vote,
 affordable health insurance is the more
 important issue:

1st, strongly               41%
1st, not strongly           10
2nd, not strongly            9
2nd, strongly               31
Both                         8
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form B half-sample) For my vote, Iraq
 is the more important issue OR For my vote,
 middle class incomes and costs is the more
 important issue:

1st, strongly               44%
1st, not strongly            9
2nd, not strongly            7
2nd, strongly               31
Both                         5
Neither                      1
Don't know/Refused           2

Conducted 2/14-19/07; surveyed 1,014 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 3/2). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Now, I would like you read you a list of issues. After I read each issue, please tell me on a scale from 1 to 5 how much of a financial burden it poses on you and your family, with 5 being a huge burden and 1 not a burden at all for you and your family.

Property taxes:

1, no burden                18%
2                           15
3                           24
4                           18
5, huge burden              23
Don't know/Refused           1

Health care costs:

1, no burden                14%
2                           15
3                           18
4                           14
5, huge burden              38
Don't know/Refused           1

College tuition costs:

1, no burden                43%
2                            6
3                           11
4                            9
5, huge burden              27
Don't know/Refused           5

Credit card debt:

1, no burden                50%
2                           15
3                           14
4                            5
5, huge burden              14
Don't know/Refused           2

Income tax:

1, no burden                16%
2                           15
3                           28
4                           20
5, huge burden              20
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Now, let me ask about a number of issues and how the government is handling each issue. For each one, please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of the way the government is handling the issue.

The economy and job growth:

Approve, strongly           16%
Approve, somewhat           31
Disapprove, somewhat        19
Disapprove, strongly        29
Don't know/Refused           4

Health care:

Approve, strongly            6%
Approve, somewhat           19
Disapprove, somewhat        23
Disapprove, strongly        49
Don't know/Refused           3

Social Security:

Approve, strongly           11%
Approve, somewhat           22
Disapprove, somewhat        20
Disapprove, strongly        42
Don't know/Refused           5

Medicare:

Approve, strongly           10%
Approve, somewhat           27
Disapprove, somewhat        21
Disapprove, strongly        32
Don't know/Refused          10

Education:

Approve, strongly           13%
Approve, somewhat           26
Disapprove, somewhat        25
Disapprove, strongly        33
Don't know/Refused           4

The environment:

Approve, strongly            8%
Approve, somewhat           29
Disapprove, somewhat        22
Disapprove, strongly        37
Don't know/Refused           4

Energy:

Approve, strongly            8%
Approve, somewhat           24
Disapprove, somewhat        24
Disapprove, strongly        40
Don't know/Refused           4

National security:

Approve, strongly           23%
Approve, somewhat           31
Disapprove, somewhat        18
Disapprove, strongly        25
Don't know/Refused           3

Taxes:

Approve, strongly            8%
Approve, somewhat           28
Disapprove, somewhat        24
Disapprove, strongly        34
Don't know/Refused           5

Government spending:

Approve, strongly            4%
Approve, somewhat           14
Disapprove, somewhat        28
Disapprove, strongly        52
Don't know/Refused           3

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Now, let me ask about a number of issues and the government's role in dealing with this issue. For each one, please tell me whether you think it's an area where there should be more governmental involvement or an area the government should be less involved in.

The economy and job growth:

More                        68%
Less                        24
About the same               5
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           2

Health care:

More                        72%
Less                        25
About the same               2
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           2

Social Security:

More                        66%
Less                        27
About the same               5
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           2

Medicare:

More                        69%
Less                        22
About the same               5
None                         1
Don't know/Refused           3

Education:

More                        67%
Less                        29
About the same               2
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           2

The environment:

More                        75%
Less                        20
About the same               4
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           2

Energy:

More                        77%
Less                        17
About the same               2
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           3

National security:

More                        82%
Less                        12
About the same               5
None                         0
Don't know/Refused           2

Foreign policy:

More                        60%
Less                        28
About the same               6
None                         1
Don't know/Refused           4

Conducted 1/28-30/07 for Women's Voices Women Vote; surveyed 1,000 adult women; margin of error +/-3% (release, 2/22).

If you had to pick one of the following health care issues for the president and Congress to work on in the next year, which would it be?

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Expanding
 health insurance coverage for the
 uninsured                                  25%
Improving the Medicare prescription
 drug benefit for seniors                   22
(Asked of Form B half-sample) Expanding
 health insurance coverage for uninsured
 children                                   21
Improving the quality of medical care
 available in low-income areas              19
Making preventive care and vaccinations
 available at low cost to uninsured
 Americans                                  14
Giving patients more choice in which
 doctors they can use                        8
Doing more to prevent and treat HIV and
 AIDS                                        8
Better preparing the nation for public
 health threats like the avian flu           3
Don't know/Refused                           4

To achieve universal health coverage, the government is considering a proposal that would require that everyone have health insurance, the way all drivers are required to have automobile insurance. People with higher incomes who do not have insurance would be required to buy insurance, and the government would help pay for insurance for small businesses and families with incomes up to $40,000. Would you favor or oppose such a plan?

Strongly favor              50%
Somewhat favor              18
Somewhat oppose             10
Strongly oppose             17
Don't know/Refused           4

GREENBERG QUINLAN ROSNER RESEARCH (D)
Conducted 9/16-18/07; surveyed 1,000 likely voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/3). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Now let me read you two statements about the children's health care. After I read them, please tell me which statement comes closest to your own thinking, even if neither is exactly right 1. The Democrat says we have a chance to ensure that all children in the country have health care. The Congress is going to pass an expansion of the existing children's health care program, administered by each state, to insure 3 million more children in working families. It is paid for by increasing the tax on a pack of cigarettes. or 2. President Bush says he would veto an expansion of the S-CHIP program because it is a form of socialized medicine that will encourage people to drop their private insurance and join a government insurance plan. That's the wrong approach.

Democrat, strongly          39%
Democrat, somewhat          21
Bush, somewhat              12
Bush, strongly              23
Both (vol.)                  0
Neither (vol.)               3
Don't know/Refused           3

Conducted 5/29-31/07; surveyed 1,000 likely voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 7/26). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

(Asked of half-form A) Now, let me ask you some questions about health care. What one thing do you like most about the American health care system?

Quality                      23%
Choice                       22
Access                        9
Medicare and Medicaid         8
Prescription Drugs            4
Personal Responsibility       3
Competition                   1
Other                         9
Don't know                   17

(Asked of half-form B) Now, let me ask you some questions about health care. What one thing do you not like about the American health care system?

Cost                         47%
Inequality                   25
Coverage                     14
Inefficiency                  8
Special Interests             6
Malpractice Lawsuits          3
Choice                        2
Benefit Cut Backs             2
Other                         6
Don't know                    4

When thinking about priorities for Congress and the President, do you think reforming health care should be the single highest priority, one of the top two or three priorities, near the top of the list, in the middle or toward the bottom of the list of priorities for Congress and the president?

Single highest                6%
Top two or three issues      39
Near the top of the list     31
Middle                       15
Toward the bottom             8
Don't know/Refused (vol.)     1

(Asked of half-form C) Thinking about the country as a whole, would you say you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of health care in this country?

Very satisfied               19%
Somewhat satisfied           30
Somewhat dissatisfied        21
Very dissatisfied            28
Don't know/Refused (vol.)     2

(Asked of half-form C) Thinking about your own situation and your own family, would you say you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of health care you receive?

Very satisfied               48%
Somewhat satisfied           33
Somewhat dissatisfied         9
Very dissatisfied             9
Don't know/Refused (vol.)     1

(Asked of half-form D) Thinking about the country as a whole, would you say you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country?

Very satisfied                5%
Somewhat satisfied           18
Somewhat dissatisfied        32
Very dissatisfied            42
Don't know/Refused (vol.)     3

(Asked of half-form D) Thinking about your own situation and your own family, would you say you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the cost of health care?

Very satisfied               18%
Somewhat satisfied           25
Somewhat dissatisfied        24
Very dissatisfied            32
Don't know/Refused (vol.)     1

Which of the following do you agree with the most?

On the whole, the health care system in America 
 works pretty well but some changes are
 necessary                                       20%
There are good things about the health 
 system in America, but some major changes
 are needed                                      55
American's health care system is so inadequate 
 and has so many problems that we need to 
 completely rebuild it                           24
Other (vol.)                                      0
None (vol.)                                       1
Don't know                                        0
(ref:

(Asked of half-form A) Would you favor or oppose a proposal that provided every American with health insurance, even if it meant your taxes or health care premiums would increase as a result?

Strongly favor               27%
Somewhat favor               27
Somewhat oppose              16
Strongly oppose              27
Don't know/Refused            4

(Asked of half-form B) Would you favor or oppose a proposal that provided every American with health insurance, even if it meant you may have to change your current health care provider and insurance?

Strongly favor               25%
Somewhat favor               30
Somewhat oppose               9
Strongly oppose              32
Don't know/Refused            4

(Asked of Form D half-sample) Let me tell you about a proposal to reform the health care system in this country. This plan would require businesses to either cover their employees or make a contribution to a pool that help fund health care coverage for the uninsured. It would require all Americans to get health insurance and provide subsidies for Americans who could not afford it. It would also make insurance more affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and taking steps to contain health care costs. Having heard this, do you favor or oppose this proposal?

Strongly favor               29%
Somewhat favor               39
Somewhat oppose              10
Strongly oppose              15
Don't know/Refused            7

(Asked of Form D half-sample) As I mentioned, this proposal will require all Americans to have health insurance. There are similar proposals in California and Massachusetts has already passed a law requiring everyone to have health insurance and subsidies for those who cannot afford it. Do you favor or oppose this aspect of the plan?

Strongly favor               30%
Somewhat favor               34
Somewhat oppose              14
Strongly oppose              17
Don't know/Refused            5

(Asked of Form C half-sample) Let me tell you about a proposal to reform the health care system in this country. This plan would use what some people call a single-payer health care plan. Under this plan, you still would be able to see your own doctor, just like under Medicare, but the federal government would pay the health care costs for all Americans. This would require a significant tax increase, but all of your current health care costs and insurance premiums would be covered by the government. Having heard this, do you favor or oppose this proposal?

Strongly favor               25%
Somewhat favor               29
Somewhat oppose              12
Strongly oppose              29
Don't know/Refused            5

Which of the following concerns you most about efforts to reform the health care system:

Government run programs are wasteful
 and inefficient                            37%
It could increase my taxes                  17
It could force me and my family to
 accept a lower quality health care
 plan                                       17
It could prevent me and my family
 from seeing my current doctor or
 doctors                                    12
It could increase the federal deficit        8
None (vol.)                                  3
Don't know/Refused                           6

(Asked of Form A half-sample) As you may know, health care costs can be paid by three different sources -- the government, employers and individuals. Of these three sources, which do you think should pay for most of the cost of health care?

Employers                    41%
Government                   31
Individuals                  20
Mix/All (vol.)                3
Other (vol.)                  0
Don't know/Refused            4

LAKE RESEARCH PARTNERS (D)/TARRANCE GROUP (R)
Conducted 7/15-18/07; surveyed 1,000 registered "likely" voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 7/26). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Please tell me which political party would do a better job of handling this issue, the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. (rotated)

Terrorism:

Republicans                 49%
Democrats                   36
None (vol.)                  6
Unsure (vol.)                9

Moral values:

Republicans                 42%
Democrats                   39
None (vol.)                 10
Unsure (vol.)                9

Illegal immigration:

Republicans                 41%
Democrats                   36
None (vol.)                 12
Unsure (vol.)               10

Health care:

Republicans                 29%
Democrats                   59
None (vol.)                  7
Unsure (vol.)                6

Corruption in Washington:

Republicans                 26%
Democrats                   42
None (vol.)                 21
Unsure (vol.)               12

Wasteful government spending:

Republicans                 33%
Democrats                   42
None (vol.)                 18
Unsure (vol.)                8

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Please tell me who would do a better job of handling this issue, President Bush or the Democratic Party. (rotated)

Terrorism:

President Bush              51%
Democrats                   41
None (vol.)                  3
Unsure (vol.)                5

Moral values:

President Bush              47%
Democrats                   43
None (vol.)                  5
Unsure (vol.)                6

Illegal immigration:

President Bush              33%
Democrats                   50
None (vol.)                 10
Unsure (vol.)                7

Health care:

President Bush              31%
Democrats                   59
None (vol.)                  5
Unsure (vol.)                5

Corruption in Washington:

President Bush              34%
Democrats                   47
None (vol.)                 12
Unsure (vol.)                7

Wasteful government spending:

President Bush              33%
Democrats                   51
None (vol.)                 11
Unsure (vol.)                5

LOS ANGELES TIMES/BLOOMBERG
Conducted 1/13-16/07; surveyed 1,344 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 1/18). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Some have proposed that the federal government should be allowed to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for senior citizens. Opponents say that this would result in federal price controls on prescription drugs. What do you think? Do you support or oppose allowing the government to negotiate lower prices on prescription drugs for seniors?

                            All Dem Ind Rep
Support, strongly           62% 69% 65% 51%
Support, somewhat           18  17  16  20
Oppose, somewhat             5   2   4   9
Oppose, strongly            10   5   9  16
Don't know                   6   7   5   4

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
Conducted 4/26-29/07 by Greenberg, Quinlan, and Rosner Research; surveyed 1,000 likely voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 5/9).

Now I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.

On immigration, we need to get control of the
 border and bar illegal employment but allow the
 illegal immigrants who have been here working
 for a long time to get on a path to citizenship.
 OR On immigration, we need to get control of the
 border, require illegal immigrants to re-enter
 the country legally, and stop illegal immigrants
 from getting government benefits:

1st statement, strongly                     27%
1st statement, not strongly                 12
2nd statement, not strongly                  7
2nd statement, strongly                     50
Both                                         1
Neither                                      1
Don't know/Refused                           1


As conditions deteriorate in Iraq, we need to
 develop a new strategy that will get our
 troops out of harm's way and bring the war to a
 responsible end. OR We need to give the new
 strategy time to work in Iraq before we give up
 our military's effort as a lost cause. This will
 also give the Iraqi government more time to
 achieve stability:

1st statement, strongly                     51%
1st statement, not strongly                  8
2nd statement, not strongly                  8
2nd statement, strongly                     30
Both                                         0
Neither                                      1
Don't know/Refused                           1

To achieve energy independence, we must invest
 in clean alternative energy sources like wind,
 solar and bio-fuels that will reduce our
 dependence on foreign oil and create new jobs
 that will revitalize our economy. OR In order
 to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we must
 expand drilling for oil in our own country,
 develop new nuclear plants and invest in
 domestic creation of clean alternative energy
 sources like ethanol:

1st statement, strongly                     51%
1st statement, not strongly                  9
2nd statement, not strongly                  9
2nd statement, strongly                     28
Both                                         2
Neither                                      1
Don't know/Refused                           1

So that everyone has access to affordable health
 care, we must develop a universal health
 insurance plan and allow the government to use
 its purchasing power to negotiate prices with
 drug companies to lower the costs of
 prescription drugs. OR So that Americans have
 better access to health insurance and more
 choice in their medical decisions, we must help
 states make affordable private health insurance
 available to their citizens and give tax
 incentives to every individual purchasing health
 insurance:

1st statement, strongly                     35%
1st statement, not strongly                 10
2nd statement, not strongly                 17
2nd statement, strongly                     33
Both                                         1
Neither                                      2
Don't know/Refused                           2

(Asked of Democrats) Now I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. After I read each pair, please tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.

We should cut off funding for the war in Iraq
 and begin to reduce the number of U.S. troops
 in Iraq immediately. OR We should establish
 benchmarks for the Iraqis to secure their
 country and set goals for a phased redeployment
 of U.S. troops:

1st statement, strongly                     46%
1st statement, not strongly                  9
2nd statement, not strongly                 15
2nd statement, strongly                     28
Both                                         0
Neither                                      1
Don't know/Refused                           2

We need to reform the health care system to
 provide every American with access to health
 insurance and affordable prescription drugs.
 OR We need to repair our health care system by
 providing states with the funding they need to
 ensure every child has health insurance and
 also allow the government to negotiate for lower
 drug prices:

1st statement, strongly                     55%
1st statement, not strongly                 11
2nd statement, not strongly                  8
2nd statement, strongly                     23
Both                                         1
Neither                                      0
Don't know/Refused                           1

To address our country's main problems, we need
 a leader with new ideas that can bring the
 parties together. OR To address our country's
 main problems, we need a leader with vast
 experience that can lead us in the right
 direction:

1st statement, strongly                     56%
1st statement, not strongly                 11
2nd statement, not strongly                  5
2nd statement, strongly                     24
Both                                         1
Neither                                      0
Don't know/Refused                           2

NBC NEWS/WALL STREET JOURNAL
Conducted 9/28-30/07; surveyed 606 Republican primary voters; margin of error +/-4% (release, 10/9).

When it comes to the issue of health care, which of the following two options would you prefer to help cover those without health insurance? Option A: Requiring all Americans to have health insurance, with the federal government helping pay for health insurance for low-income families. Option B: Providing health savings accounts and tax credits to help individuals and employers purchase health insurance.

Option A, requiring insurance, federal
 government helps low-income pay            20%
Option B, providing health savings
 accounts and tax credits                   69
Neither/Other (vol.)                         7
Not sure                                     4

Conducted 7/27-30/07; surveyed 1,005 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 8/2). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society, and I'd like you to tell me how much confidence you have in each one -- a great deal, quite a bit, some, very little or none at all?

The military:

Great deal of confidence     45%  
Quite of bit of confidence   22  
Some confidence              22 
Very little confidence        6
No confidence at all          4
Not sure                      1

Small business:

Great deal of confidence     26%  
Quite of bit of confidence   28  
Some confidence              31 
Very little confidence        9
No confidence at all          3
Not sure                      3

Law enforcement agencies:

Great deal of confidence     26%  
Quite of bit of confidence   28  
Some confidence              31 
Very little confidence        9
No confidence at all          6
Not sure                      0

The Supreme Court:

Great deal of confidence     15%  
Quite of bit of confidence   21  
Some confidence              39 
Very little confidence       17
No confidence at all          7
Not sure                      1

Your local government:

Great deal of confidence     12  
Quite of bit of confidence   22  
Some confidence              38 
Very little confidence       17
No confidence at all         10
Not sure                      1

Public schools:

Great deal of confidence     15%  
Quite of bit of confidence   17  
Some confidence              39 
Very little confidence       20
No confidence at all          8
Not sure                      1

Environmental organizations

Great deal of confidence     12%  
Quite of bit of confidence   18  
Some confidence              42 
Very little confidence       16
No confidence at all          8
Not sure                      4

Religious leaders and organizations

Great deal of confidence     11%  
Quite of bit of confidence   16  
Some confidence              35 
Very little confidence       20
No confidence at all         15
Not sure                      3

Your state government:

Great deal of confidence     10%  
Quite of bit of confidence   17  
Some confidence              44 
Very little confidence       21
No confidence at all          7
Not sure                      1

The national news media:

Great deal of confidence      9%  
Quite of bit of confidence    9  
Some confidence              39 
Very little confidence       24
No confidence at all         18
Not sure                      1

The energy industry:

Great deal of confidence      7%  
Quite of bit of confidence   11  
Some confidence              34 
Very little confidence       27
No confidence at all         18
Not sure                      3

The pharmaceutical industry:

Great deal of confidence      8%  
Quite of bit of confidence    9  
Some confidence              34 
Very little confidence       27
No confidence at all         20
Not sure                      2

The federal government:

Great deal of confidence      7%  
Quite of bit of confidence    9  
Some confidence              41 
Very little confidence       29
No confidence at all         13
Not sure                      1

Internet media:

Great deal of confidence      6%  
Quite of bit of confidence   10  
Some confidence              38 
Very little confidence       22
No confidence at all         14
Not sure                     10

The financial industry:

Great deal of confidence      5%  
Quite of bit of confidence   11  
Some confidence              48 
Very little confidence       21
No confidence at all          9
Not sure                      6

Professional sports:

Great deal of confidence      6%  
Quite of bit of confidence    8  
Some confidence              26
Very little confidence       28
No confidence at all         26
Not sure                      6

Congress:

Great deal of confidence      5%  
Quite of bit of confidence    9  
Some confidence              40 
Very little confidence       31
No confidence at all         13
Not sure                      2

Large corporations:

Great deal of confidence      5%  
Quite of bit of confidence    6  
Some confidence              37  
Very little confidence       30
No confidence at all         19
Not sure                      3

Health insurance companies:

Great deal of confidence      5%  
Quite of bit of confidence    5  
Some confidence              26 
Very little confidence       37
No confidence at all         25
Not sure                      2

PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Conducted 8/1-18/07; surveyed 3,002 adults; margin of error +/-2% (release, 9/6). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Now, I'd like to get your views on some issues that are being discussed in this country today. All in all, do you strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose ________?

The death penalty for persons convicted of
 murder:

Strongly favor              29%
Favor                       33
Strongly oppose             11
Oppose                      21
Don't know/Refused           6

The U.S. government guaranteeing health
 insurance for all citizens, even if it means
 raising taxes:

Strongly favor              26%
Favor                       37
Strongly oppose             13
Oppose                      19
Don't know/Refused           5

Allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally:

Strongly favor              13%
Favor                       23
Strongly oppose             31
Oppose                      24
Don't know/Refused           9

Reducing legal immigration:

Strongly favor              19%
Favor                       26
Strongly oppose             15
Oppose                      30
Don't know/Refused          10

WAGGENER EDSTROM/RT STRATEGIES
Conducted 1/18-21/07; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/- 3.1% (release, 1/22).

Which one issue do you think is the most important priority when it comes to action the Deomcrats in congress might take to improve health care for America...?

                            All   Rep   Dem   Ind
A new program under which   
 all children age 18 and 
 younger have some form of 
 health insurance           42%   35%   47%   40%

Removing legal obstacles
 to spending federal funds 
 on embryonic stem-cell  
 research                   11    7     17    11

Requiring Medicare to 
 negotiate lower prices 
 for prescription drugs 
 from other countries       31    37    26    34

Making it easier for people 
 to buy prescription drugs 
 from other countries       11    13     8    11

Not sure                     5     8     2     5

ZOGBY
Conducted 5/17-20/07; surveyed 992 adults; margin of error +/-3.2% (release, 6/4). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Do you agree that most people are poor because their jobs don't pay enough, they lack good health care and education and things cost too much for them to save and move ahead?

                            All Dem Rep Ind
Strongly agree              44% 57% 28% 47%
Somewhat agree              36  31  41  37
Somewhat disagree           12   6  20   9
Strongly disagree            7   4  10   6
Not sure                     1   1   2   1

What is your level of support for providing guaranteed health care coverage for every American?

                            All Dem Rep Ind
Strongly support            53% 75% 32% 49%
Somewhat support            23  17  29  25
Somewhat oppose             10   3  15  12
Strongly oppose             14   4  25  12
Not sure                     1   1   1   1