Health Policy (5)

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Health Policy (p. 5)

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). June 20-24, 2012. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.1.

"If the Supreme Court rules that the health care law is constitutional, meaning that it will be implemented, would you be pleased, disappointed, or would you have mixed feelings about it?" Half sample (Form A)

		Pleased	Disappointed	Mixed feelings	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/20-24/12	28	35	34	3

"If the Supreme Court rules that the health care law is unconstitutional, meaning that it will not be implemented, would you be pleased, disappointed, or would you have mixed feelings about it?" Half sample (Form B)

		Pleased	Disappointed	Mixed feelings	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/20-24/12	37	22	39	2

"Now, if the Supreme Court rules that the part of the health care law called the individual mandate, that requires everyone to either have or buy health insurance, is unconstitutional and will not be implemented, do you think this will help you and your family, hurt you and your family, or not make much difference either way?" Half sample (Form B)

		Help	Hurt	Not much difference	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/20-24/12	18	25	55	2

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. June 14-18, 2012. N=1,007 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.

"In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose the health care reforms that were passed by Congress in March of 2010?" 3/10 & earlier: "In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose the health care reform plans being discussed in Congress?"

		Support	Oppose	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/14-18/12	33	47	13	7
	2/16-20/12	35	47	14	4
	12/8-12/11	29	49	18	5
	6/16-20/11	36	46	15	3
	3/24-28/11	35	45	17	2
	1/5-10/11	40	41	16	3
	11/3-8/10	38	47	12	4
	10/13-18/10	40	45	11	3
	9/8-13/10	41	46	12	1
	6/9-14/10	45	42	13	1
	5/7-11/10	39	46	14	1
	4/7-12/10	39	50	10	1

	3/3-8/10	41	43	12	4
	1/12-17/10	42	42	14	2
	12/10-14/09	36	44	18	2
	11/5-9/09	39	45	14	3
	10/1-5/09	40	40	17	3
	9/3-8/09	34	49	15	2

"If the Supreme Court rules that the health care reforms passed in March 2010 are unconstitutional, what do you think the President and Congress should do about the health care system? Do you think they should start work on a new health care reform bill, or leave the health care system as it is."

		Start on new bill	Leave as is	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/14-18/12	77	19	4

Pew Research Center. June 7-17, 2012. N=2,013 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 2.5.

"All in all, how well do you feel you understand what's in the health care law: very well, somewhat well, not too well, or not at all well?"

		Very well	Somewhat well	Not too well	Not at all well	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/7-17/12	18	49	21	10	2

"As you may know, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the health care law later this month. I would like to ask how you would feel about a few possible outcomes of the ruling. For example, the court could decide to [see below]. Would you be happy or unhappy with this decision?"

		Happy	Unhappy	Unsure
		%	%	%

	"Uphold the entire law"
	6/7-17/12	39	51	10

	"Throw out the entire law"
	6/7-17/12	44	48	8

	"Throw out the part of law that requires individuals to have health insurance, and keep the rest of the law"
	6/7-17/12	40	51	9

Reuters/Ipsos Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. June 7-11, 2012. N=1,099 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"As of right now, do you favor or oppose the health care reform bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2010?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/7-11/12	45	44	12

	If oppose: "You said you are opposed to the health care reform bill recently passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. Is that because you favor health care reform overall but think the current proposals don't go far enough to reform health care, OR, you oppose health care reform overall and think the current proposals go too far in reforming health care?"

		Favor overall/ Don't go far enough	Oppose overall/ Go too far	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/7-11/12	22	68	10

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). June 3-5, 2012. N=907 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Recently the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the new health care law, which is called the 2010 Affordable Care Act. What do you think the Supreme Court SHOULD do? Uphold the law as constitutional and let it stand. Keep most of the law, but rule the requirement for Americans to buy health insurance as unconstitutional. Invalidate the whole law as unconstitutional."

		Uphold the law	Keep most, but not mandate	Invalidate whole law	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/3-5/12	30	21	38	11
	4/9-11/12	27	24	42	7

"Do you believe the federal government forcing Americans to buy health insurance is a violation of individual rights protected by the Constitution -- or not?"

		Yes, a violation	No, not a violation	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/3-5/12	60	36	5

CBS News/New York Times Poll. May 31-June 3, 2012. N=976 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to come out with a decision about the 2010 health care law in June. Which of the following would you like to see the Supreme Court do? Keep the entire health care law in place. Overturn the part of the law that requires Americans to obtain health insurance if they don't have it, but keep much of the law intact. OR, Overturn the entire health care law." 4/12: "The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to come out with a decision about the 2010 health care law in June. Which of the following would you like to see the Supreme Court do? Keep the entire health care law in place. Overturn the part of the law that requires Americans to obtain health insurance if they don't have it, but keep the rest of the law intact. OR, Overturn the entire health care law." 3/12: "The U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments about the 2010 health care law next week. Which of the following would you like to see the Supreme Court do? Keep the entire health care law in place. Overturn the part of the law that requires Americans to obtain health insurance if they don't have it, but keep the rest of the law intact. OR, Overturn the entire health care law."

		Keep entire law	Overturn mandate only	Overturn entire law	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/31 - 6/3/12	24	27	41	8
	4/13-17/12	23	29	37	11
	3/21-25/12	26	29	38	7

"From what you know of the current U.S. Supreme Court justices, how do you think they will rule on the health care law -- mainly based on legal analysis or mainly based on their own personal or political views?"

		Legal analysis	Personal or political views	Both (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	5/31 - 6/3/12	32	55	4	9

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. May 31-June 3, 2012. N=1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.7.

"As you may know the Supreme Court is considering a legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act, the health care legislation that President Obama signed in 2010. If the Supreme Court strikes down all or part of this law, which of the following would you most like to see Congress do? Try to come up with another health care law to guarantee insurance for nearly all Americans. OR, Pass smaller measures that will cover some people without insurance but not as many as the original law. OR, Do away with the entire law, including any parts the Supreme Court may decide to uphold."

		Another law guaranteeing insurance	Measures covering some people	Do away with the entire law	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	5/31 - 6/3/12	46	18	28	8

"Now, I'm going to describe some major parts of the health care law. As I read each one, tell me if you would like to see the Supreme Court uphold this part of the law or strike it down. (First,) what about [see below]?"

		Uphold it	Strike it down	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%

	"The requirement that individuals must buy health insurance or pay a penalty"
	5/31 - 6/3/12	23	74	3

	"The ban on insurance companies denying coverage because of a person's medical history"
	5/31 - 6/3/12	44	51	4

	"The expansion of the Medicaid program to cover more low-income Americans who are uninsured"
	5/31 - 6/3/12	70	25	5

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. May 8-14, 2012. N=1,218 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you think [see below] will be better off or worse off under the health reform law, or don't you think it will make much difference?"

		Better off	Worse off	Not much difference	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%

	"Women"
	5/8-14/12	36	29	21	14

	"Children"
	5/8-14/12	41	28	19	12

	"Young adults"
	5/8-14/12	38	31	20	11

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). April 13-17, 2012. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.1.

"And, would you favor or oppose repealing and eliminating this health care law? ... And, do you feel that way strongly, or not so strongly?" 2011: "... this new health care law ..."

		Strongly favor repeal	Not so strongly favor repeal	Not so strongly oppose repeal	Strongly oppose repeal	No opinion	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%	%
	4/13-17/12	40	9	12	30	7	3
	12/7-11/11	36	10	15	25	10	4
	1/13-17/11	35	10	12	34	7	2

"Have you seen, read, or heard the news coverage about the arguments heard by the Supreme Court over the constitutionality of some parts of the new health care law?" If yes: "And, have you seen, read, or heard a lot or just some about this?"

		Yes: A lot	Yes: Just some	No
		%	%	%
	4/13-17/12	22	39	38

"Do you think the decision reached by the United States Supreme Court on the constitutionality of some parts of the new health care law will be based mostly on the law, or based mostly on politics?" Half sample (Form A)

		Mostly on the law	Mostly on politics	Some of both (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/13-17/12	32	59	2	7

Quinnipiac University Poll. April 11-17, 2012. N=2,577 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ą 1.9.

"Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand?" 2011: "Do you think Congress should try to repeal the new health care law. . . ."

		Try to repeal	Let it stand	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/11-17/12	51	38	11
	2/14-20/12	52	39	10
	11/14-20/11	47	41	12
	4/26 - 5/1/11	44	45	11
	1/4-11/11	48	43	8

"The Supreme Court has heard a challenge to the health care law. Do you want the Supreme Court to uphold the health care law or overturn it?" 2/12: "The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the health care law. ..." 2011: "The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the new health care law. ..."

		Uphold it	Overturn it	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/11-17/12	38	49	13
	2/14-20/12	39	50	11
	11/14-20/11	40	48	12

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). April 9-11, 2012. N=910 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"And what do you think the Court WILL do? Uphold the law as constitutional and let it stand. Keep most of the law, but rule the requirement for Americans to buy health insurance as unconstitutional. Invalidate the whole law as unconstitutional."

		Uphold the law	Keep most, but not mandate	Invalidate whole law	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/9-11/12	19	38	28	15

"The new health care law requires all Americans who can afford it to have some form of health insurance or else pay a penalty. If the Supreme Court rules that the government can require Americans to buy health insurance, how concerned are you that would mean the government can require Americans to buy other things it decides people should have: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all concerned?"

		Very concerned	Somewhat concerned	Not very concerned	Not at all concerned	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/9-11/12	54	17	11	16	2

"Do you think the Supreme Court justices will decide the health care case solely on the legal arguments and the Constitution, or do you think politics and partisanship will play a role in their decision?"

		Solely legal arguments, Constitution	Politics and partisanship, too	Depends on justice (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/9-11/12	26	67	2	5

"After the Supreme Court heard the arguments on the health care law, President Obama publicly commented on how he expected the Court to decide. He pointed out that the justices are 'an unelected group of people' and it would be unprecedented for them to overturn a law passed by Congress. Do you think the president was trying to intimidate the Supreme Court or not?"

		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/9-11/12	56	40	4

"Some lawmakers say they read the over two-thousand page health care bill before voting on it, but most did not read it. If every member of Congress had read the full bill before voting on it, do you think it still would have passed or not?"

		Would have passed	Would not have passed	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/9-11/12	33	55	12

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. April 4-10, 2012. N=1,210 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you feel you have enough information about the health reform law to understand how it will impact you personally, or not?"

		Have enough information	Do not have enough	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	4/4-10/12	51	47	1
	2/29 - 3/5/12	39	59	2
	11/10-15/11	44	55	1
	3/8-13/11	47	52	1
	4/9-14/10	43	56	2

"Next, I'm going to read you several elements of the health reform law. As I read each one, please tell me whether you feel very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable about it. . . ."

		Very/ Somewhat favorable
		%

	"The law gradually closes the Medicare prescription drug 'doughnut hole' or coverage gap so seniors will no longer be required to pay the full cost of their medications when they reach the gap." Half sample (Form B)
	4/4-10/12	78

	"The law allows children to stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26." Half sample (Form B)
	4/4-10/12	71

	"The law will expand the existing Medicaid program to cover more low-income, uninsured adults." Half sample (Form A)
	4/4-10/12	66
	2/29 - 3/5/12	70

	"The law will prohibit insurance companies from charging women higher premiums than men." Half sample (Form B)
	4/4-10/12	61

	"The law will prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person's medical history." Half sample (Form A)
	4/4-10/12	60
	2/29 - 3/5/12	69

	"The law will place a limit on the amount that insurance companies can charge older people compared to younger people." Half sample (Form A)
	4/4-10/12	52

	"The law will require nearly all Americans who don't have health insurance as of 2014 to get it or else pay a fine." Half sample (Form A)
	4/4-10/12	31

	"The law will require nearly all Americans to have health insurance by 2014 or else pay a fine." Half sample (Form B)
	4/4-10/12	30
	2/29 - 3/5/12	32

"When the Supreme Court rules on the case challenging parts of the health care law, how big of a role do you think each of the following WILL play in their decision? What about [see below]? Will this play a major role, a minor role, or no role at all in the justices' decision on this case?"

		Major role	Minor role	No role at all	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%

	"National politics"
	4/4-10/12	49	32	14	4
	2/29 - 3/5/12	50	35	10	5

	"Whether the justices' themselves hold liberal or conservative views"
	4/4-10/12	56	27	11	7
	2/29 - 3/5/12	51	29	12	7

	"The justices' past personal experiences"
	4/4-10/12	39	40	16	6
	2/29 - 3/5/12	38	39	16	7

	"The justices' analysis and interpretation of the law"
	4/4-10/12	65	24	6	5
	2/29 - 3/5/12	54	31	8	6

	"Whether a justice was appointed by a Republican or Democratic president"
	4/4-10/12	50	28	17	5
	2/29 - 3/5/12	44	31	18	6

	"The views of average Americans"
	4/4-10/12	30	36	30	3
	2/29 - 3/5/12	27	40	30	2

"As you may know, one of the parts of the law that the Supreme Court will rule on is the requirement that nearly all Americans have health insurance. In your own opinion, do you think the Supreme Court should rule that it is constitutional or UNconstitutional for the federal government to require all Americans to have health insurance, or do you not know enough to say?"

		Constitutional	Unconsti- tutional	Do not know enough	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	4/4-10/12	26	51	21	2
	2/29 - 3/5/12	28	51	19	2
	1/12-17/12	17	54	28	1

"And do you EXPECT the Supreme Court to rule that the requirement that all Americans have health insurance is constitutional or unconstitutional?" Options rotated

		Constitutional	Unconsti- tutional	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	4/4-10/12	30	59	11
	2/29 - 3/5/12	33	53	14
	1/12-17/12	29	55	16

"If the Supreme Court rules that the federal government cannot require Americans to have health insurance, do you expect some parts of the health care law will still be implemented, or do you think this will effectively mean the end of the entire law?"

		Some parts implemented	End of the entire law	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	4/4-10/12	54	37	10
	2/29 - 3/5/12	62	28	10
	1/12-17/12	55	30	15

"What if the Supreme Court strikes down the ENTIRE HEALTH CARE LAW. Would you say you would approve of that, or disapprove?" Options rotated

		Approve	Disapprove	Would not care (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	4/4-10/12	45	49	2	5

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 5-8, 2012. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.

"The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about the health care law last month. Of these three options, which would you prefer to have the Supreme Court do: uphold the entire law, throw out the part of the law that requires individuals to have coverage and keep the rest of the law, or throw out the entire law?" Options rotated 3/12: "The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the health care law later this month. ..."

		Uphold entire law	Throw out individual mandate only	Throw out entire law	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	4/5-8/12	25	29	38	8
	3/7-10/12	26	25	42	7

"Do you think the Supreme Court justices will rule on this case mainly on the basis of the law, or mainly on the basis of their partisan political views?" Options rotated

		The law	Political views	Both (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL	40	50	1	9
	Democrats	35	55
	Independents	37	52
	Republicans	49	41

Pew Research Center/Washington Post. March 29-April 1, 2012. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.

"Thinking about the Supreme Court hearings on the 2010 health care law this past week, has what you've seen and heard given you a MORE favorable opinion of the Supreme Court, a LESS favorable opinion of the Supreme Court, or hasn't your opinion of the Supreme Court changed?"

		More favorable	Less favorable	Opinion has not changed	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/29 - 4/1/12	7	21	65	7

"Thinking about the Supreme Court hearings on the 2010 health care law this past week, has what you've seen and heard given you a MORE favorable opinion of the health care law, a LESS favorable opinion of the health care law, or hasn't your opinion of the health care law changed?"

		More favorable	Less favorable	Opinion has not changed	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/29 - 4/1/12	7	23	63	7

CNN/ORC Poll. March 24-25, 2012. N=1,014 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"As you may know, that legislation included a provision that will require all Americans who do not have health insurance to get it. Do you favor or oppose that provision?" 11/11: "As you may know, the health care bill passed in 2010 includes a provision that will require all Americans who do not have health insurance to get it. Do you favor or oppose that provision?" 6/11: "As you may know, that legislation included a provision that will require all Americans who do not have health insurance to get it. Do you favor or oppose that provision?"

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/24-25/12	47	51	1
	11/11-13/11	52	47	2
	6/3-7/11	44	54	2

"As you may know, next week the Supreme Court will hear arguments in legal cases about the new health care law. If you had to choose, would you rather see the Supreme Court leave the health care law as it is, overturn some provisions of the law but keep other provisions of the law in place, or overturn all provisions in the health care law?"

		Leave as is	Overturn only some provisions	Overturn all provisions	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/24-25/12	23	43	30	4

"Just your best guess: Do you think the decisions that the judges on the Supreme Court make in those cases will be based mostly on their personal political views or will be based mostly on an objective interpretation of the law?"

		Personal political views	Objective interpretation	Mixed (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/24-25/12	50	46	2	1

"If the Supreme Court decides that all or part of the health care law is unconstitutional, would that make you more likely to vote for Barack Obama in the presidential election in November, less likely to vote for him, or wouldn't it affect your vote for president?"

		More likely	Less likely	No effect
		%	%	%
	3/24-25/12	12	12	76

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. March 22-25, 2012. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.6.

"President Obama's health care reform law was passed by Congress in 2010. From what you know about this law, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose it?"

		Strongly favor	Somewhat favor	Somewhat oppose	Strongly oppose	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/22-25/12	19	24	14	33	11

"Do you think the federal government SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be able to require all Americans to obtain health insurance or else pay a fine?"

		Should	Should not	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	3/22-25/12	28	66	6

"As you may know, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the 2010 health care law would provide health insurance for about 33 million of 50 million people who are currently uninsured, at a cost of about $150 billion a year. The law offsets the cost partly by raising taxes and partly by reducing the growth in payments for Medicare providers. Which of the following comes closer to your own view? Congress should repeal the program to expand coverage because the government can't afford it at a time of large budget deficits. OR, Congress should keep the program to expand coverage because it's important to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance." Options rotated

		Repeal the program	Keep the program	Neither/ Both (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	3/22-25/12	42	45	5	8

"Republicans have made a strong effort to try to repeal the 2010 health care law, but so far have been unsuccessful. Overall, do you think these efforts have been helpful in highlighting concerns about the health care law, OR have been harmful in distracting Congress from other important work?"

		Helpful	Harmful	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	3/22-25/12	37	51	12

CBS News/New York Times Poll. March 21-25, 2012. N=986 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you think the health care law will eventually increase your own health care costs, will eventually lower your own health care costs, or don't you think it will have much effect on your own health care costs?" 2010: "From what you've heard or read, do you think the new health care reforms will ... ?"

		Increase	Lower	Not have much effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	52	15	27	6
	3/29 - 4/1/10	52	14	27	7

"Do you think the health care law will make the quality of health care you receive better, will make the quality of health care you receive worse, or don't you think it will have much effect on the quality of your health care?" 2010: "From what you've heard or read, do you think the new health care reforms will ... ?"

		Better	Worse	Not have much effect	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	17	33	43	7
	3/29 - 4/1/10	17	39	38	5

"Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the 2010 health care law that requires nearly all Americans to have health insurance coverage by 2014?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	45	51	4

"Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the 2010 health care law that requires health insurance companies to cover those who may have an existing medical condition or prior illness?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	85	12	3

"Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the 2010 health care law that allows children to stay on their parents' health insurance policies until the age of 26?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	68	28	4

"Previously, seniors had to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs once they reached the Medicare prescription drug coverage limit. Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the 2010 health care law that offers discounts to reduce this Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, commonly called the donut hole?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	77	16	7

"How concerned are you that under the health care law, your own access to medical tests and treatment may be more limited than it is now: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?"

		Very concerned	Somewhat concerned	Not too concerned	Not at all concerned	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	36	30	19	14	1

"How concerned are you that under the health care law, you may be required to change doctors: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?"

		Very concerned	Somewhat concerned	Not too concerned	Not at all concerned
		%	%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	41	19	20	20

"How likely do you think it is that under the health care law, many businesses will have to cut jobs because they may not be able to afford to provide insurance to all of their employees: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely?"

		Very likely	Somewhat likely	Not too likely	Not at all likely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	39	34	16	9	2

"As you may know, some provisions of the 2010 health care law have already gone into effect. Please tell me whether you or your immediate family have personally benefited from each of the following provisions. "Have you or your immediate family personally benefited from the provision that allows parents to cover their children on their health insurance until the age of 26, or not?"

		Have benefited	Have not benefited	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	20	77	3

"Have you or your immediate family personally benefited from the provision that offers special insurance coverage to people with an existing medical condition or prior illness, or not?"

		Have benefited	Have not benefited	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	16	82	2

"Have you or your immediate family personally benefited from the provision that reduces the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, commonly called the donut hole, or not?"

		Have benefited	Have not benefited	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	15	81	4

"Do you think the health care law passed in 2010 creates too much government involvement in the health care system, not enough government involvement in the health care system, or about the right amount of government involvement in the health care system?"

		Too much	Not enough	About right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	54	12	27	7

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

		Yes	No
		%	%
	3/21-25/12	87	13

"In the past 12 months, did you or anyone in your immediate family have problems paying or were unable to pay any medical bills?"

		Yes: Self	Yes: family member	No
		%	%	%
	3/21-25/12	19	12	69

McClatchy-Marist Poll. March 20-22, 2012. N=1,080 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Which one of the following comes closest to your opinion about what the U.S. Supreme Court should do with the 2010 health care law when it hears arguments in the next few weeks? Let the law stand. Declare the part that requires Americans to buy health insurance unconstitutional. Repeal the law completely."

		Let it stand	Declare individual mandate un- constitutional	Repeal completely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/20-22/12	35	21	34	10

Bloomberg Poll conducted by Selzer & Company. March 8-11, 2012. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.1.

"The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide the constitutionality of the health care reform law signed by President Obama in 2010. Do you expect the Court will make this decision based solely on legal merits, or do you expect politics will influence how some justices vote?"

		Solely legal merits	Politics will influence	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/8-11/12	17	75	8

Pew Research Center. March 7-11, 2012. N=1,503 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

FORM 1 (N=766): "As you may know, by 2014 nearly all Americans will be required to have health insurance. People who do not buy insurance will pay a penalty while people who cannot afford it will receive financial help from the government. Do you approve or disapprove of this policy?" FORM 2 (N=737): "As you may know, by 2014 nearly all Americans will be required to have health insurance. People who cannot afford insurance will receive financial help from the government while people who do not buy it will pay a penalty. Do you approve or disapprove of this policy?" Combined responses

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/7-11/12	41	56	3

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. March 7-10, 2012. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.

"Have the things you've heard about this law recently been mainly positive or mainly negative?" Options rotated

		Mainly positive	Mainly negative	Mixed (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	3/7-10/12	19	70	5	6

"The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the health care law later this month. Of these three options, which would you prefer to have the Supreme Court do: uphold the entire law, throw out the part of the law that requires individuals to have coverage and keep the rest of the law, or throw out the entire law?" If throw out individual mandate only: "What if removing the coverage requirement forces the rest of the law to be dropped because there's no way to pay for it? In that case, would you prefer to keep the mandate to save the rest of the law, or throw out the entire law?" Options rotated. Combined responses.

		Uphold entire law	Throw out entire law	Unsure
		%	%	%
	3/7-10/12	37	55	8

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. Feb. 29-March 5, 2012. N=1,208 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you think [see below] will be better off or worse off under the health reform law, or don't you think it will make much difference?"

		Better off	Worse off	Not much difference	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%

	"People who get health insurance through an employer" N=607 (Form A)
	2/29 - 3/5/12	28	32	29	11

	"People with pre-existing health conditions" N=601 (Form B)
	2/29 - 3/5/12	48	26	15	12
	11/10-15/11	48	25	16	11
	9/7-12/11	52	21	16	11

"Next, I'm going to read you several elements of the health reform law. As I read each one, please tell me whether you feel very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable about it. . . ." Each item asked of half the sample.

		Very/ Somewhat favorable
		%

	"The law provides tax credits to small businesses that offer health insurance to their employees."
	2/29 - 3/5/12	80

	"The law allows people to appeal to an independent reviewer if they disagree with their health plan's decision."
	2/29 - 3/5/12	71

	"The law will require employers with 50 or more employees to pay a fine if they don't offer health insurance."
	2/29 - 3/5/12	54

	"The law will increase the Medicare payroll tax on earnings for upper-income Americans."
	2/29 - 3/5/12	53

	"The law will require insurance plans to offer a minimum package of health insurance benefits, to be defined by the government."
	2/29 - 3/5/12	51

"When the Supreme Court rules on the case challenging parts of the health care law, how big of a role do you think each of the following SHOULD play in their decision? What about [see below]? Should this play a major role, a minor role, or no role at all in the justices' decision on this case?" N=601 (Form B)

		Major role	Minor role	No role at all	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%

	"National politics"
	2/29 - 3/5/12	26	29	41	4

	"Whether the justices' themselves hold liberal or conservative views"
	2/29 - 3/5/12	27	27	41	5

	"The justices' past personal experiences"
	2/29 - 3/5/12	28	36	30	6

	"The justices' analysis and interpretation of the law"
	2/29 - 3/5/12	53	29	12	6

	"Whether a justice was appointed by a Republican or Democratic president"
	2/29 - 3/5/12	25	23	49	3

	"The views of average Americans"
	2/29 - 3/5/12	50	26	22	2

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Feb. 20-21, 2012. N=1,040 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4. Interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking.

"As you may know, two years ago, Congress passed a law that restructures the nation's health care system. All in all, do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that Congress passed this law?" 2011: "As you may know, last year, Congress passed a law that restructures the nation's health care system. All in all, do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that Congress passed this law?" 2010: "As you may know, yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that restructures the nation's health care system. All in all, do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that Congress passed this bill?"

		Good thing	Bad thing	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/20-21/12	45	44	11
	10/26-27/11	42	47	11
	3/18-19/11	46	44	10
	3/22/10	49	40	11

"Now suppose all of the provisions of the health care law go into effect in the next few years. In the long run, how do you think the health care law would affect your family's health care situation? Would it make things better, not make much difference, or would it make things worse?" Options rotated

		Better	Not much difference	Worse	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	2/20-21/12	24	34	38	5

"As you may know, the Supreme Court will hear arguments next month concerning a requirement in the health care law that every American must buy health insurance or pay a fine. Regardless of whether you favor or oppose the law, do you think this requirement is constitutional or unconstitutional?"

		Constitutional	Un- constitutional	Unsure
		%	%	%
	2/20-21/12	20	72	7

"If a Republican is elected president in this November's election, would you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose him repealing the health care law when he takes office?"

		Strongly favor	Favor	Oppose	Strongly oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/20-21/12	26	21	24	20	9

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. Feb. 16-20, 2012. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.1.

"In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose the health care reforms that were passed by Congress in March of 2010?" 3/10 & earlier: "In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose the health care reform plans being discussed in Congress?"

		Support	Oppose	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	2/16-20/12	35	47	14	4
	12/8-12/11	29	49	18	5
	6/16-20/11	36	46	15	3
	3/24-28/11	35	45	17	2
	1/5-10/11	40	41	16	3
	11/3-8/10	38	47	12	4
	10/13-18/10	40	45	11	3
	9/8-13/10	41	46	12	1
	6/9-14/10	45	42	13	1
	5/7-11/10	39	46	14	1
	4/7-12/10	39	50	10	1

	3/3-8/10	41	43	12	4
	1/12-17/10	42	42	14	2
	12/10-14/09	36	44	18	2
	11/5-9/09	39	45	14	3
	10/1-5/09	40	40	17	3
	9/3-8/09	34	49	15	2

"How well do you feel you understand the health care reforms that were passed by Congress in March of 2010: extremely well, very well, somewhat well, not too well, or not well at all?"

		Extremely well	Very well	Somewhat well	Not too well	Not well at all
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/16-20/12	8	20	44	17	12
	4/7-12/10	10	18	44	12	15

"As a result of the changes to health care that were passed by Congress in March of 2010, do you think it will probably cause you to get better health care, cause you to get worse health care, or not change the quality of health care you get?"

		Better	Worse	No change	Unsure	Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/16-20/12	14	32	51	2	1

"Do you favor, oppose, or neither favor nor oppose a law that would require every American to have health insurance, or pay money to the government as a penalty if they do not, unless the person is very poor?"

		Favor	Oppose	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	2/16-20/12	34	58	6	2
	1/5-10/11	31	59	7	3

"Do you favor, oppose, or neither favor nor oppose a law requiring most medium-size and large companies to offer health insurance to their employees or pay money to the government as a penalty if they don't?"

		Favor	Oppose	Neither	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	2/16-20/12	60	32	6	2
	1/5-10/11	59	32	9	1

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. Feb. 13-19, 2012. N=1,519 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you think [see below] will be better off or worse off under the health reform law, or don't you think it will make much difference?" 2010: "Do you think [see below] will be better off or worse off under the new health reform law, or don't you think it will make much difference?"

		Better off	Worse off	Not much difference	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%

	"Seniors, that is, those ages 65 and older"
	2/13-19/12	36	31	22	10
	11/10-15/11	32	36	21	11
	7/13-18/11	34	37	19	10
	6/9-14/11	31	41	19	9
	5/12-17/11	35	36	22	8
	2/8-13/11	31	42	22	5
	1/4-14/11	32	39	21	8
	9/14-19/10	38	35	18	9
	7/8-13/10	36	36	18	10
	4/9-14/10	36	33	20	12

"Overall, which party, the Democrats or the Republicans, do you trust to do a better job [see below]?"

		Democrats	Republicans	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%

	"Dealing with the future of the 2010 health care law"
	2/13-19/12	46	34	2	12	6

	"Handling the Medicare program"
	2/13-19/12	47	33	2	14	5

	"Lowering health care costs for people like you"
	2/13-19/12	47	33	1	14	5

	"Handling the Medicaid program"
	2/13-19/12	47	32	2	13	6

	"Making decisions about insurance coverage of reproductive health care services for women including birth control"
	2/13-19/12	49	32	2	12	5

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. Jan. 12-17, 2012. N=1,206 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"As you may know, the health reform law will require nearly all Americans to have health insurance by 2014 or else pay a fine. Would you say you feel very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable about that provision of the law?"

		Very favorable	Somewhat favorable	Somewhat unfavorable	Very unfavorable	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/12-17/12	14	16	15	52	3

"Next I'd like to ask you some questions about the U.S. Supreme Court. Do you think the Supreme Court justices usually decide their cases based on legal analysis without regard to politics and ideology, or do you think they sometimes let their own ideological views influence their decisions?"

		Legal analysis only	Sometimes ideology	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	1/12-17/12	17	75	9

"As you may know, lawsuits challenging the federal government's authority to require all Americans to have health insurance as part of the health reform law have been filed in the U.S. courts. The Supreme Court has announced they will hear arguments in the case later this year. How much would you say you've heard about these lawsuits: a lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?"

		A lot	Some	Only a little	Nothing	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	1/12-17/12	13	18	33	35	1

"In ruling on this case, do you think the Supreme Court justices will base their decision on legal analysis without regard to ideology or politics or do you think they will let their own ideological views influence their decision?" Options rotated

		Legal analysis only	Ideological views	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	1/12-17/12	28	59	13

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. Dec. 8-12, 2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.

"Do you think the federal government should have the power to require all Americans to buy health insurance, and to pay a fine if they don't, or do you think the federal government should not have that power?"

		Should	Should not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/8-12/11	15	84	1
	8/18-22/11	16	82	2
	8/11-16/10	17	83	1

Gallup Poll. Nov. 3-6, 2011. N=1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 4.

"Which of these statements do you think best describes the U.S. health care system today? It is in a state of crisis. It has major problems. It has minor problems. OR, It does not have any problems." Options rotated

		State of crisis	Major problems	Minor problems	No problems	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	11/3-6/11	16	57	24	1	1
	11/4-7/10	17	55	26	1	1
	11/5-8/09	21	50	25	2	1
	9/11-13/09	17	56	25	2	-
	11/13-16/08	14	59	26	1	1
	11/11-14/07	17	56	24	2	1
	11/9-12/06	16	55	25	3	1
	11/7-10/05	18	52	28	1	1
	11/7-10/04	14	53	31	2	-
	11/3-5/03	14	54	30	1	1
	11/11-14/02	11	54	32	2	1
	11/8-11/01	5	44	47	2	2
	9/11-13/00	12	58	28	1	1

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

		Yes	No	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/3-6/11	30	70	-
	11/4-7/10	30	69	1
	11/5-8/09	29	71	-
	11/13-16/08	29	70	1
	11/11-14/07	30	70	-
	11/9-12/06	30	69	1
	11/7-10/05	28	71	1
	11/7-10/04	26	74	-
	11/3-5/03	24	76	-
	11/11-14/02	25	75	-
	11/8-11/01	19	81	-

"If you had to choose, do you think the health care law should be kept in place or should be repealed?" Options rotated

		Kept in place	Repealed	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/3-6/11	42	47	11

CBS News/New York Times Poll. Oct. 19-24, 2011. N=1,650 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law that was passed last year, or should they let it stand?" If repeal: "Should they repeal the entire law or only certain parts?" Combined responses

		Repeal entire law	Repeal parts	Let it stand	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/19-24/11	25	20	41	14
	9/10-15/11	30	17	40	13

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. Aug. 10-15, 2011. N=1,201 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"Do you think [see below] will be better off or worse off under the health reform law, or don't you think it will make much difference?"

		Better off	Worse off	Not much difference	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%

	"People who currently get health insurance through an employer"
	8/10-15/11	24	35	30	11

"In general, do you support or oppose the new federal requirement that private health insurance plans cover the full cost of birth control and other preventive services for their female patients?"

		Support	Oppose	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%
	8/10-15/11	66	24	10

Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. July 13-18, 2011. N=1,201 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

"As far as you know, will the health reform law increase the federal budget deficit over the next ten years, decrease the deficit over the next ten years, or is it not expected to have much impact on the deficit?"

		Increase	Decrease	Not much impact	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	7/13-18/11	51	15	25	10
	1/4-14/11	60	11	23	6

Quinnipiac University Poll. July 5-11, 2011. N=2,311 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ą 2.

"Who do you trust to do a better job handling Medicare, which is the government program which pays for health care for the elderly: President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"

		President Obama	Republicans in Congress	Unsure
		%	%	%
	7/5-11/11	50	37	13
	5/31 - 6/6/11	44	40	16

Bloomberg Poll conducted by Selzer & Company. June 17-20, 2011. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.1.

"In order to preserve Medicare in largely its current state, some changes might need to be made. For each of the following, please tell me if you would favor or oppose the change. . . ." Options rotated

		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%

	"New limits on medical services that would be covered by Medicare"
	6/17-20/11	49	47	4

	"Higher payroll taxes than employees and employers currently pay so that the Medicare system has more money"
	6/17-20/11	41	56	3

	"Means-testing for Medicare benefits which would reduce coverage for wealthy Americans"
	6/17-20/11	67	28	5

"One proposal currently being debated in Congress is to replace traditional Medicare so that individuals buy their own private insurance with the help of government subsidies. Do you think you would be better off or worse off under this proposed system for Medicare?"

		Better off	Worse off	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/17-20/11	34	57	9

"In general, which party do you think is doing a better job of dealing with Medicare: the Republicans or the Democrats?"

		Republicans	Democrats	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/17-20/11	34	43	23

Pew Research Center. June 15-19, 2011. N=1,502 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.5.

"Now thinking about the way some things work in this country, do you think the Medicare system in this country works pretty well and requires only MINOR CHANGES, do you think it needs MAJOR CHANGES, or do you think it needs to be COMPLETELY REBUILT?"

		Minor changes	Major changes	Completely rebuilt	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	38	33	21	8
	2/06	26	42	28	4

"Now thinking about the way some things work in this country, do you think the Medicaid system, which provides health and long-term care to low-income people in this country, works pretty well and requires only MINOR CHANGES, do you think it needs MAJOR CHANGES, or do you think it needs to be COMPLETELY REBUILT?"

		Minor changes	Major changes	Completely rebuilt	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	39	37	17	8

"From what you know, how good a job does each of the following do serving the people it covers? Does [see below] do an excellent, good, only fair, or poor job serving the people it covers?" If respondent says they are not covered by the program: "Just your impression from what you know about it."

		Excellent	Good	Only fair	Poor	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%

	"Medicare, which provides health care to seniors and people with permanent disabilities"
	6/15-19/11	7	34	40	13	6

	"Medicaid, which provides health and long-term care to low-income people"
	6/15-19/11	6	30	40	14	10

	"Private health insurance"
	6/15-19/11	5	31	37	20	7

"And from what you know about its financial condition, is Medicare in excellent, good, only fair, or poor shape financially?"

		Excellent	Good	Only fair	Poor	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	2	16	38	36	8

"And from what you know about its financial condition, is Medicaid in excellent, good, only fair, or poor shape financially?"

		Excellent	Good	Only fair	Poor	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	2	13	35	37	13

"What is more important: taking steps to reduce the budget deficit, or keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are?"

		Reducing the budget deficit	Keeping benefits as they are	Both equally (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	32	60	4	5
	2/95	24	70	2	4

"From what you know about the Medicare program that provides health care for seniors and people with permanent disabilities, does the program make it too easy to get medical care and treatments that may not be necessary, too difficult to get medical care and treatments that may be necessary, or is Medicare coverage about right?"

		Too easy to get care that's not necessary	Too difficult to get care that's necessary	About right	Other/Mixed (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	16	32	40	1	11

"Which comes closer to your view, even if neither is exactly right? People on Medicare need to be responsible for more of the costs of their health care in order to keep the program financially secure. People on Medicare already pay enough of the cost of their health care."

		Need to pay more	Already pay enough	Neither (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	31	61	1	6

"And one question about a current debate over the MEDICAID program for low-income people. Which comes closer to your view? States should be able to cut back on who is eligible for Medicaid in order to deal with budget problems. Low-income people should not have their Medicaid benefits taken away."

		States should be able to cut back	People should not have benefits taken away	Neither (vol.)	Other (vol.)	Unsure/ Refused
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/15-19/11	37	58	1	1	2

CBS News Poll. June 3-7, 2011. N=1,024 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.

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

		Make minor changes	Make fundamental changes	Rebuild it	Don't make any changes (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/3-7/11	27	53	13	2	5
	8/27-31/09	25	52	16	1	6

"Which of the following do you think is the best way for the Medicare program to be set up in the future? Should the Medicare program continue the way it is set up now, as a program that pays the doctors and hospitals that treat senior citizens; OR, change the way it is set up, and instead become a program that gives senior citizens payments towards the purchase of private insurance?"

		Continue the way it is	Change	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/3-7/11	58	31	11

"How much have you heard or read about the changes to the Medicare system recently proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan and passed by House Republicans: a lot , some, not much, or nothing at all?"

		A lot	Some	Not much	Nothing at all	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/3-7/11	11	27	28	31	3

"Do you feel you have a good understanding of how the proposed Medicare changes would work or is it confusing to you?"

		Have a good understanding	Confused	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/3-7/11	19	67	14

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. June 2-5, 2011. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ą 3.5.

"Who do you trust to do a better job protecting the Medicare system: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?" Options rotated

		Obama	Republicans in Congress	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	6/2-5/11	49	35	2	10	4

"Republicans in the House of Representatives approved a budget plan that would change Medicare, the government health insurance program for the elderly. These changes would affect Americans currently under age 55. From what you've heard about it, do you support or oppose this new plan for Medicare?"

		Support	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	6/2-5/11	32	49	19

"Is it your impression that this new plan would require future generations of Medicare recipients -- that is, those who are currently under age 55 -- to pay more, less, or about the same amount for their health insurance than they would pay under the Medicare program as it works now?"

		More	Less	About the same	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	6/2-5/11	49	10	27	13

Health policy continued

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