Gallup: Healthcare Bill Support Ticks Up; Public Still Divided

[Jennicut]

Forty-nine percent favor passage of bill; 46% oppose
by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans' support for U.S. healthcare legislation has crept up incrementally since early November. Now, slightly more Americans want their member of Congress to vote in favor of such legislation rather than against it, 49% vs. 46% -- a first since October. More broadly, however, Americans remain closely divided on the issue, with neither position attracting majority support.

2009-2010 Trend: Preference for Passing Healthcare Legislation This Year

"While overall public support for passing a healthcare bill currently outweighs opposition by a slight margin, the reverse is true among Americans who are seemingly more certain in their position."

The latest results are from a Jan. 8-10 Gallup survey. The framework for the Gallup question -- which asks Americans about passing healthcare reform legislation "this year" -- has changed with the turning of the calendar. Whereas last fall, "this year" meant passing the landmark legislation in the space of only a few months, in the latest poll it is associated with a full year -- which could make it seem like a far less hasty effort. However, that contextual shift does not appear to have affected responses, as public support increased between November and December (despite the shrinking time frame) before the latest increase in January.

While overall public support for passing a healthcare bill currently outweighs opposition by a slight margin, the reverse is true among Americans who are seemingly more certain in their position. This is evident in the responses to Gallup's initial question on the healthcare vote in which 37% of Americans say they would advise their member of Congress to vote for healthcare legislation this year and 41% would advise voting against it. In the follow-up question -- in which respondents who don't initially have a view are pressed to say which way they lean -- more say they lean toward supporting the bill than opposing it. Hence, total support for the bill today is slightly greater than opposition.http://www.gallup.com/poll/125030/Healthcare-Bill-Support-Ticks-Up-Public-Divided.aspx

I don't always trust all of Gallups polls so take what you will from it but it is interesting that there has been a slight uptick in support.

[flyarm]

1. Ed Shultz just had on MSNBC the CBS new Poll tonight..Obama sinking baddddddd on health care!

the CBS poll just released tonight!

Just 36 percent of Americans approve of Mr. Obama's handling of health care, according to the poll, conducted from Jan. 6 – 10. Fifty-four percent disapprove.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6084856.shtml?tag=pop

[bigdarryl]

2. And he just told a BOLD FACE lie saying Obama is loosing his base

the polls says he's getting 70% of the Party support

[ShortnFiery]

5. The mere notion of THAT 70% - democratic support - is laughable on it's very surface.

People are not that DUMB for this absurd attempt to "manufacture consent." :thumbsdown:

[jefferson_dem]

4. Ed is a fool.

n/t

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. I disapprove of his handling of HCR and would probably vote for the bill

The two are not mutually exclusive.

[blue neen]

8. You stated that perfectly.

I feel the same way you do. :)

[Hello_Kitty]

3. That is encouraging for support of the bill but this part worries me for the elections

In line with these partisan distinctions, support for passing healthcare legislation this year is higher among women than among men (54% vs. 42%), among nonwhites than among whites (67% vs. 41%), and among low-income Americans (63% of those earning less than $30,000 a year) compared to middle- (44%) and upper-income Americans (45%). Additionally, support is much higher among adults aged 18 to 34 (61%) than it is among those 35 to 54 (48%) and 55 and older (40%).

The numbers of white, older, and middle income voters need to improve because that's who votes in mid-terms.

[moondust]

7. "Hidden tax on health care."

That's the latest TV ad I've seen trying to scare people--mainly seniors and those with employer-based coverage--into opposition. I don't know how much truth or untruth there is to it. It is no doubt scaring some people into believing that their current coverage will cost them more, in which case doing nothing is better for them personally.