From Bloomberg.com:
Americans remain skeptical about the health-care overhaul even after the U.S. House passed landmark legislation that promises to provide access to medical coverage for tens of millions of the uninsured.
At the same time, most say the government should play a role in ensuring everyone has access to affordable care, a Bloomberg National Poll shows. A majority also agree that health care is a private matter and consider the new rules approved by Congress to be a government takeover.
The poll found the percentage of Americans who favor the almost $1 trillion 10-year plan remained at about just four in 10 following the House vote on March 21 to send the bill to President Barack Obama, who signed it into law today.
“Anything called a ‘massive overhaul’ will be complicated, and it is hard for people to see what is in it for them,” said J. Ann Selzer, president of Selzer & Co., a Des Moines, Iowa- based firm that conducted the nationwide survey. “Even as Americans of all stripes agree there are problems with the current system, the escalating deficit makes them worry what the country can really afford.”
The poll of 1,002 adults was conducted March 19-22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent. There was no meaningful movement of opinion the final night of interviewing, after the vote was taken.
Democratic lawmakers who approved the revamp over the unanimous objections of Republicans are counting on public support to grow once voters see the benefits of the legislation, which places new restrictions on insurers from denying coverage to people.
