Public Support for Health Reform Shifts

In fact, when asked, "Which worries you more: the government or insurance companies," more people (45%) answered "the government." Another 36% said insurance companies are scarier, and 12% are equally concerned about both types of institutional intervention.

Crossing party lines
But it seems most Americans, regardless of party affiliation, can change their minds on a dime. As demonstrated by congressional voices on Capitol Hill, the hot button issue of healthcare reform crosses party lines. Both sides split on support and opposition. Seven in 10 Democratic Americans back reform now. Six in 10 Republicans do not.

"Public support for health reform will depend on which arguments get through to the American people and, ultimately, how they answer the question of how will health reform affect their family," said Kaiser Vice President and Director of Public Opinion and Survey Research Mollyann Brodie in the Kaiser press release.