Opposition to Health Care Reform Reaches New High at 55%

From "The Law"
Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the
distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every
time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists
conclude that we object to its being done at all.

We disapprove of state education. Then the socialists say that we are
opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the
socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a
state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality.
And so on, and so on. It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of
not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise
grain.

Let's not have the impression that if people oppose government run
health care and/or insurance, that they oppose health care or
insurance.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

One week after President Obama's speech to Congress, opposition to his
health care reform plan has reached a new high of 55%. The latest
Rasmussen Reports daily tracking poll shows that just 42% now support
the plan, matching the low first reached in August.

A week ago, 44% supported the proposal and 53% were opposed. Following
the speech last Wednesday night intended to relaunch the health care
initiative, support for the president's effort bounced as high as 51%
(see day-by-day numbers). But the new numbers suggest that support for
health care reform is now about the same as it was in August.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of Democrats now support the plan while 80%
of Republicans are opposed. Among those not affiliated with either
major party, 67% are opposed.

The latest figures show that, overall, 23% Strongly Favor the plan and
44% are Strongly Opposed. In late August, those figures were 23% and
43% respectively.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll is another
indicator of the speech's impact, and there, too, the bounce in
approval Obama has been getting since the Wednesday night speech
appears to have ended. Job Approval ratings are updated each morning
at 9:30 EDT.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our
polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or
Facebook.

Rasmussen Reports will continue tracking support for the health care
plan for the next two nights and will release the new findings the
following morning at 9 EDT. After this week, Rasmussen Reports will
continue tracking the issue on a weekly basis.

While some Democrats have charged that opposition to the president's
plan is based upon racism, just 12% of voters agree.

Despite declining overall support, 51% still say that health care
reform is at least somewhat likely to pass this year. That figure
includes 18% who say passage is Very Likely.

If the plan passes, 24% of voters say the quality of care will get
better and 50% say it will get worse. In August, the numbers were 23%
better and 50% worse.

Fifty-three percent (53%) say passage of the plan will make the cost
of health care go up while 17% say it will make costs go down. In
August, 52% thought the plan would lead to higher costs, and 17%
thought it would achieve the stated goal of lowering costs.

Prior to the president's speech, most people with insurance said it's
likely they would be forced to change coverage if the plan passes. As
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, explained in a recent
Wall Street Journal column: "The most important fundamental is that
68% of American voters have health insurance coverage they rate good
or excellent … Most of these voters approach the health care reform
debate fearing that they have more to lose than to gain."

Voters overwhelmingly believe that every American should be able to
buy the same health insurance plan that Congress has. Most favor
limits on jury awards for medical malpractice claims and think that
tort reform will significantly reduce the cost of health care.

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