Obama's approval rating on health care improves

CBS

Since its passage in March 2010, President Obama's health care reform package has been controversial. The latest Associated Press poll, however, finds that the percent of Americans who approve of the way Mr. Obama is handling health care has hit a new high.

The AP poll, conducted May 5-9, shows that 54 percent of Americans approve of Mr. Obama's handling of health care, while 46 percent disapprove. That figure has risen steadily since October of last year. Mr. Obama received his lowest marks on health care in the AP poll in September of 2009, when just 42 percent said they approved.

The poll also found that voters largely trust Democrats over Republicans on health care issues. Fifty-three percent of voters said they trust Mr. Obama's party over the GOP to handle health care, while 35 percent said they trust Republicans to do a better job. Ten percent said they trust neither party.

Similarly, 54 percent said they trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle Medicare, while 33 percent said they trust Republicans.

A CBS News poll in February found that most Americans (51 percent) disapproved of the Democrats' health care reforms, but few (35 percent) approved of Republican plans to cut off funding for the new law's implementation.

Still, as the contest for the Republican presidential nomination gains steam, opposition to Mr. Obama's health care reforms has remained a sort of litmus test for the candidates. Republican voters and pundits alike are also watching to see whether nominees will support the House GOP's controversial Medicare proposal, which would turn the government-run health care program for seniors into a voucher program.

Medicare reform has remained a critical issue within the Republican party as it seeks ways to significantly reduce the federal deficit. The latest AP poll shows that 54 percent of Americans think it's possible for the federal government to balance its budget without cutting spending on Medicare, while 44 percent say Medicare spending will have to be cut.

[dinkydog1]

Poor wing nuts, It's really confusing finding that Gingrich and Romney both wanted plans similar to Obama care until the Dems passed it and Palins family couldn't wait to cross the Canadian border to participate in that dread "socialized medicine".

[justme2012]

Not confusing at all. There are a lot of socialist republicans out there that must be removed from office. Putting a R by a name doesn't make socialism good or taxes on life legal.

[MtLion63]

I love it. Liberal controlled states such as California, Illinois, and New York are billions in debt and flat broke. The Republican controlled state of Texas is doing great. Why do Liberals swallow everything they hear from the Democratic Party? They have to because of their payments from Welfare. Another thing, quit taking the polls at the Medicaid office.

[RobAla]

If anyone wants to see a picture of the results if progressive ideas and union power in action, we only have to look at Detroit. How many Americans want the entire nation to become Detroit?

[justme2012]

When looking at Detroit, look at the great American experiment with socialism call Government Motors and then watch the video where the president's caddy got stuck on a speed bump in Ireland.

Millions spent, supposed to built to survive grenade attacks, bullets, even chemical warfare, flown across the Atlantic to protect the POTUS, it can not make it over a bump.

Unions should be so proud!

[wfw3536]

You really have to question the credibility of this poll. Every other poll has shown only about 40 to 44% of folks are supportive of the Obama'a health care bill. It is sad when reporters are so desperate to push this terrible bill that cut 500 billion out of Medicare and will take away servies from seniors. How sad that Obama makes this terrible bill out that it is good for seniors. And maybe at some point the House of Representatives will hold hearing on AARP who stand to make a bundle on this new health care bill that they supported.

[justme2012]

You are correct about AARP, they are making a fortune off this. But that is ok because they were "chosen" as a winner by members of the government.

[justme2012]

Non profit!!

ROFLMAO

Just like unions!

[RobAla]

If Stephanie Condon was any more of an Obama cheerleader, she would have to be carrying pom poms. Here are the polling results from a number of polls regarding the disapproval of President Obama's health care law:

Poll Date Sample Favor Repeal Oppose Repeal Spread
RCP Average 2/17 - 5/22 -- 49.4 41.2 Favor Repeal +8.2
Rasmussen Reports 5/21 - 5/22 1000 LV 51 43 Favor Repeal +8
Politico/GWU/Battleground 5/8 - 5/12 1000 LV 49 42 Favor Repeal +7
Hearst/F&M 4/5 - 4/25 800 A 44 38 Favor Repeal +6
Bloomberg 3/4 - 3/7 1001 A 52 42 Favor Repeal +10
POS (R) 2/17 - 2/21 800 RV 51 41 Favor Repeal +10

She attempts to find ONE poll saying something different that a host of other polls - in order to portray President Obama's health care law as being acceptable - it is not. Good try, Stephanie.

[bones2011]

I for one would like to be part of that 35percent that trust the republicans, this health care plan, is and will be a mistake, however without sorrow there is no compassion, so with this mistake along with all the others our government has made, only time will tell the outcome, I for one dont think it will be good.

[justme2012]

I don't trust any party. Get the government out of our lives.

[discussthis]

If 0bummercare is so great, why does the CBO keep raising the estimates of what it will cost? ($14+ tillion over the next ten years, latest estimate).

And if you like 0bummercare, you'll love the latest on the "stimulus":

WASHINGTON (AP) - Thousands of companies that cashed in on President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package owed the government millions in unpaid taxes, congressional investigators have found.

The General Accounting Office report is to be released Tuesday. It says at least 3,700 government contractors and nonprofit organizations that received more than $24 billion from the stimulus effort owed $757 million in back taxes as of September 30, 2009, the end of that budget year.

The report says the tax delinquents account for nearly 6 percent of the 63,000 contractors and grantees examined and cautions that the real number might be higher because the known tax debt does not measure such factors as income underreporting.

[justme2012]

Has anyone doubted that the stimulus was nothing more than a rich buddy pay out and that the democrats have fleeced Americans in the biggest rip off in history?

[justme2012]

Big Pharma thanks Obama for his support in keeping drug prices high, in keeping American unable to re-import drugs at lower prices and by not allowing medicare the right to negotiate prices as the VA does.

[justme2012]

So much hate from the left, it's actually sad.

[justme2012]

What is one to think with all the hate you spew below about people who live in "red states"?

Do you have any compassion for those "lazy people" as you labeled them? Or are you just glad you might have a few less to pay for?

You tell me?

How do you feel tonight?

[justme2012]

Only a sick puppy spews hate about a region even as they are pulling out bodies.

I feel sad tonight. Lots of really good people lost their homes and their familiy members and their pets and their jobs. Good people, hard working people. RED State People!

How do you feel?

[justme2012]

Pelos's district loves Obamacare,

Well, they don't want to part of it!

But they love it,


For everyone else!

Unions love Obamacare, for non-union companies.

Public employees love Obamacare, but they prefer their own, but for everyone else it's great.

Don't worry, seperate but equal is a good thing. Everyone knows that.

[san850]

Marine, justme2012 is a "special needs" child...rides the short bus. He has delusions of being a "teabagger" and skips around spreading hate and discontent. Poor thing.

[user000049586849302948603]

Ha ha. What say yea, ditto head, fair and balanced? I guess since the RepubliKlan has shown their true colors, the Shinola that they're shoveling just isn't sticking as well.

[slatep]

How much did this cost taxpayers.?!!

Nothing about the health care program has changed nor has any portion of it been repealed.

If he used any of my tax money, I'm going to be really pi**ed.

[Zann-Zel]

Relax! If you just go back and read the article you'll see these words:
"The latest Associated Press poll, however, finds..."
The Associated Press is not run by the taxpayers! So it didn't cost you a dime to find out that over half the country LIKES the healthcare plan! ; )