Public Support for Reform Legislation Shows Small Rise

When it came to issues, such as paying for healthcare reform, two ideas currently under discussion among legislators received support: 57% of the public said they would support "having health insurance companies pay a fee based on how much business they have" and 59% said they would support "having health insurance companies pay a tax for offering very expensive policies." In both cases, Republicans were evenly divided while Democrats and political independents appeared to be more in favor. The survey did not examine arguments for and against the policies.

Many of those surveyed said that proposals to obtain savings in the Medicare program were driving opposition among seniors: Nearly half said that seniors (49%) opposed the idea of limiting future increases in Medicare provider payments as a way to help pay for healthcare reform. However, a majority (59%) said they would back the same limits if they were framed as helping to "keep Medicare financially sound in the future."

Some Medicare changes being discussed in the healthcare reform debate can be seen as strengthening Medicare for the long term or as harming it, said Mollyann Brodie, vice president for Public Opinion and Survey Research at the Kaiser Family Foundation. "Which of these messages breaks through could ultimately shape seniors' reactions."