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CBSNews /

CBS/ March 24, 2010, 11:37 AM

Poll: Health Care Reform Still Confusing

Americans aren't sure about the implications of the health care reform legislation passed late Sunday by the House of Representatives, and they remain skeptical about whether the bill will help or hurt them.

In a CBS News poll conducted before the conclusion of Sunday's vote, a majority of Americans admitted they were still confused over how the reforms will affect them and their families. Just 42 percent said they had a good understanding of its likely impact.

There was a lot of confusion even among Democrats, who mostly supported the President's reform efforts. Just 37 percent of Democrats said they had a good understanding of the bill.

The confusion over reform - and the long-running health care debate - has not endeared Congress to the American public. The legislature's overall approval rating was near an all-time low.

Just 14 percent of Americans said they approve of the way Congress is handling its job, while 76 percent - the highest figure ever - said they disapprove. Approval of Congress has dropped 16 points during the past year.

More Coverage of Health Care Reform:

Health Care Debate Shows Ideological Split
House Passes Health Care Bill
Obama: "This is What Change Looks Like"
Health Care Vote: How Each Representative Voted
Announcement of the Vote
Boehner Tells Democrats: Shame on You
Pelosi Urges House to "Make History"
Health Care Bill: What's In It?
Short-Term Effect of the Bill
What, Me Worry? Obama Watches Basketball
Stupak Called "Baby Killer" for Backing Bill
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

As has been the case throughout the health care debate, more Americans think the reform bill will hurt them (35 percent) than say it will help them personally (20 percent). The majority of those asked said they though the reform legislation was likely to no effect on them personally.

Young adults - the Americans least likely to have health insurance - are more convinced than older adults that the bill will help them. However, nearly half of them don't expect much change in their own situations.

Having health insurance is the dividing line when it comes to expectations for reform. By 39 to 25 percent, those without health coverage said the bill will help them personally, not hurt them. But among those with health coverage, the balance is reversed; 37 percent said the reforms will hurt them personally, while only 17 percent said they will help.

Americans have a difficult time looking ahead to the long-term impact of the bill on the health care system. More than one in four simply wouldn't hazard a guess as to what the reforms will do to the system in the next few years. Of those who did, a small majority said it will make things worse rather than better.

For more results from this new CBS News Poll, tune into the CBS Evening News Monday night.

Read the Complete Poll



This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,059 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone March 18-21, 2010. Phone numbers were dialed from random digit dial samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. All interviewing was conducted before the completion of the House vote on health care reform. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
Copyright 2010 CBS. All rights reserved.
36 Comments Add a Comment
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mrs_mamacow says:
Our government officials job is not to sit around gripping and giving lame excuses as to why they should NOT have to take action against such injustices such as our current health care system, the food industry, diminishing educational funding and overcrowded schools, etc. Just take a look at our very broken economy and tell me where was the government during all those years of abuses and corrupt practices by our financial institutions.

And who gets the bail out? Not the people, but Wall Street, the banks, the businesses who perpetuated the fall of our economy. All the while, the government stood idly by. The government bails them out without enough provisions to hold them accountable and what do we hear that they are doing? Bonuses to CEOs? Is that like a pat on the back for fraudulent, corrupt, and abusive business practices?
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mrs_mamacow says:
Reps talk of wanting the government to protect our rights? Because we do want our government to make laws to protect us but not on such minimalist ways you present and not for such minor details. No, we want to be protect from such ?industries? that are bigger than us and has so carelessly stepped over our rights and who presents themselves in a position to make such colossal disasters such as breaking our nation?s economy. Even you cannot deny that there was and is much conscious corruption going on there.

Some people may be fooled momentarily by the media but most of us are aware. We are watching, we are observing, we are feeling the strain of the repercussions of years of government inaction, and we will be voting. More importantly, in the history books, all thier faces will be there. Will your rep's term be in service for the greater good? Are they (gov't reps) looking to make a mark OR a quick buck and photo opt?
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mrs_mamacow says:
The media might be able to coerce people?s rationality but we?ve grown accustom to such ?news? as rushes of heated headliners to angst the day over? what really matters to us (non-government official) people in the long scheme of things is how the laws of Washington DOES or DOES NOT protect and benefit our livelihood and families.
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mrs_mamacow says:
KUDOS TO THE PASSING OF THE HEALTH CARE REFORM!

Thank goodness that President Obama's healthcare reform bill has PASSED. I have seen so much negative propaganda about this bill--all criticism without one once of counter resolution. What is wrong with Washington?

This bill is a big deal... the first sign that someone out there (that some of you there in our government) are fighting for something that is actually PRODUCTIVE, actually worth VALUE, something 100% for the PEOPLE (more importantly, for the CHILDREN and all those who are always forgotten there in Washington).

This bill strives to do 'the right thing'. There is so much heart behind it. How could Congress be so divided over it? How could some of them profusely deny it? I don't understand that. I don't care what government party you are in fraternity of... America is 1 country of UNITED States, we are all people... more importantly, we are all human.

Our current health system (the entire freaking thing from the insurance companies, drug makers, down to the doctors themselves) is full of corruption and is just so wrong.
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mrs_mamacow replies:
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KUDOS TO THE PASSING OF THE HEALTH CARE REFORM!

Thank goodness that President Obama's healthcare reform bill has PASSED. I have seen so much negative propaganda about this bill--all criticism without one once of counter resolution. What is wrong with Washington?

This bill is a big deal... the first sign that someone out there (that some of you there in our government) are fighting for something that is actually PRODUCTIVE, actually worth VALUE, something 100% for the PEOPLE (more importantly, for the CHILDREN and all those who are always forgotten there in Washington).

This bill strives to do 'the right thing'. There is so much heart behind it. How could Congress be so divided over it? How could some of them profusely deny it? I don't understand that. I don't care what government party you are in fraternity of... America is 1 country of UNITED States, we are all people... more importantly, we are all human.

Our current health system (the entire freaking thing from the insurance companies, drug makers, down to the doctors themselves) is full of corruption and is just so wrong.

PS: I am not on welfare. My family is of middle class, we have a house and car, we have excellent credit history, I hold negative pts on my driver's license (not one offense--ever), we have health insurance and as long as my husband keeps his job, we feel quite fortunate. I am a U.S. Citizen, I am a resident of VA, I vote, I am a student, I am a wife, I am a mother, I am a person who cares... and I am human (just like you).
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americanpatriot23 says:
what is uncosntitutional?? it's a waste of time let's use the constitution to abolish the car insurance and the house insurance which is required by law. grrrr wait...if I have an accident and desttroy your car can I pay you with beer?
If we are sick because we are obese or because we did something stupid and cut our arm..... can I pay with beer to the hospital? who pay when I go to the emergency room but I don't have a good income? there is something call by law medical emergency assistance in all states but you need to show your income tax from last year and show that you can't affort paying the bill. At the end you don't need to pay anything. who paid for my medical bill, medicine,etc total $620 and medicine $32, answer:the governement. thank you. If I pay $20~60 per month in health insurance I will be happy.
This is just another billed to invest in america. The ones who are happy are the people under 30 yrs. as any other innovative idea we have to put money in front.
Another example is why we invest money going to college? answer: to earn more money and be capable to help the nation with our new role(professional).
go go innovation
P.S my sister is an engineer and has to pay per month $160. and she use it 3 times in 4 years the billed show total of $800~$1000. Go go private insurance- joking
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americanpatriot23 says:
Thank you for the health care reform, I need it
what is inconstitutional?? it's a waste of time let's use the constitution to abolish the car insurance and the house insurance which is required by law. grrrr wait...if I ahve an accident and desttroy your car can I pay you with beer?
If we are sick because we are obese or because we did something stupid and cut our arm..... can I pay with beer to the hospital? who pay when I go to the emergency room but I don;t have a good income? there is something call by law bill forgivenes in all states but you need to show your income tax from last year and show that you can't affort paying the bill. At the end you don't need to pay anything. who paid for my medical bill of $620 the governement. thank you. If I pay $20~60 per month in health insurance I will be happy.
Another billed to invest in america. The ones who are happy are the people under 30 yrs. as any other innovative idea we have to put money in front.
ANother argument is why to invest money going to college? that's right to earn more money and be capable to help the nation with my new role.
go go innovation
P.S my sister is an engineer and has to pay per month $160. and she use it 3 times in 4 years. Go go private insurance-joking
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Yoopergal88 says:
I applaud President Obama's healthcare reform. I have spent 18 years working in some shape or form in the healthcare industry. I have also been a "victim" of its ineffectiveness. We desperately NEED to have the insurance companies regulated. The only reason they are fighting this healthcare reform is becuase it will cut into their profits. NO ONE should be denied healthcare in this country. I find it very sad and disturbing that republicans have a "don't care" attitude towards the people they are supposed to represent; they must, because otherwise they would be for this new plan. I believe the main reason that there are people who are against this reform is because the "rich" folks are going to have to pay more in taxes to help fund this plan which, of course, they do NOT want to do. It's about time the rich started paying their fair share in this country, so it's not burdened on the "middle class" folks like me. I personally find it disgusting every time I hear a republican talk down about the President's healthcare plan. I am behind ya 100%, President Obama! Keep up the good fight! It's about time someone in the Whitehouse finally gets it and actually DOES something about it.
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david393071 says:
What this means to me:

What was said:

President Obama, Face the Nation, September 20, 2009

Obama: No, the difference is that they're making huge profits on it, Bob. I mean, let's take the Medicare HMO programs that are being run by insurance companies. It's estimated by everybody that they're overcharging by about 14 percent. This amounts to about $177 billion over 10 years. About $17 billion a year, $18 billion a year. That's just going to pad their profits, hasn't been shown to make Medicare recipients any healthier. And in fact because those huge subsidies are going to insurance companies, Medicare recipients are not getting a good deal. Now if we are enforcing what should be the rules around Medicare and making sure the people are getting a bang for the buck, it's not going to be possible for insurance companies to simply pass on those costs to Medicare recipients because ultimately it's Uncle Sam that's paying for those services anyway.

(guess who Uncle Sam is, duh, yeah thats right all US Taxpayers).

So the President knows about the big bad Insurance Corporations.

_________________________________________________________

What is done:

Rewards the Insurance Corporations, Medical Device Industry, and Pharmaceutical Industry for Campaign Contributions (for November 2010 Elections).

THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL February 22, 2010

Page 10. Manditory Insurance, fined or jail (more suckers for the Insurance Corporations to deny claims): "Like the drug industry, the health insurance industry stands to gain as more Americans get coverage."

Page 10. "The medical device industry also stands to gain from expanding health insurance coverage."

Page 9. "Both policies will result in new revenue for the pharmaceutical industry."

BY GETTING THE INSURANCE CORPORATIONS OUT OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

What Congress Gets:

"We're able to access that health care 24 hours a day when we're in Washington," Graham said, leading us to the Attending Physician's Office, a clinic inside the U.S. Capitol. They don't even have to leave the office.

About half of the members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, use the Attending Physician benefit. For $42 a month, they can get all the primary care they need - physical therapy, X-rays, minor surgery, specialists and a pharmacy for emergencies - no appointment needed.

They also get VIP hospital treatment from the best doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital. And they have a reserved spot at the elite Ward 72 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where the late Sen. Strom Thurmond spent a lot of time.

Outpatient care is free. Well, free for them. Your tax dollars pick up the cost.

The Hypocrisy is that the late Senator Kennedy of whom the Democratic Party refer to as the champion of this so called Health Care Reform used the Medical Services listed above for $42 per month. As well as Bethesda Naval Hospital (reference New Media footage of his departure after treatment at Bethesda).

BY GETTING THE INSURANCE CORPORATIONS OUT OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:

Decreases cost 80% (last part of video, 1:40) by Doctor David Ores, New York.1:45

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5247963n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

House speaker will keep money from 'villains', Pelosi called insurers 'immoral,' despite receiving funds from industry.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32237227/ns/politics-cq_politics

We want what they have for $42 per month. Not this Insurance Scam (manditory purchase of Insurance, more suckers for denial of claims).

If it is good enough for the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senator Max Baucas, Congress, and all those trying ram something up our arses that they will never use (be screwed over by).

We want what they have for $42 per month.


NO ANAL RAPE.

Contact President:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Contact Congress:

http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

Keep emailing them until they respond.
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jxknowles says:
Probably could use a few less polls and a few more articles on how people can take advantage of what is in the bill. Seniors will be the first to realize the benefits when they get $250 to assist with prescription drugs and see the donut hole dissappear. Parents will be able to cover their children until age 26. Another big plus.
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miles1967-2009 says:
For all of you FoxNews lemmings who keep whining that the majority of Americans were against health care reform, I have 2 comments:

1. Quit speaking for me and my fellow informed citizens
2. Many people were against Civil Rights and Voting Rights. Whose side is history on now??
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FauxNews replies:
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Many people were against terrorists bombing the World Trade Center, but whose side is history on now?
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