Health Care or Lower Taxes?

[Annie]

What people think:

54% Favor Middle-Class Tax Cuts Over New Spending on Health Care - Rasmussen Reports™

54% Favor Middle-Class Tax Cuts Over New Spending on Health Care
Friday, October 09, 2009


Most members of the Senate Finance Committee were relieved this week to find that their health care reform plan will cost under $900 billion over the next 10 years and is actually projected to bring the federal deficit down by $81 billion.

But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most voters continue to favor middle class tax cuts over spending more money for health care reform.

Thirty-three percent (33%) of voters say new spending for health care reform is more important. But 54% rate middle class tax cuts as the priority over more health care spending. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t sure.

These findings are identical to ones just before Congress’ August recess and prior to President Obama’s effort to jump start his health care reform initiative with a nationally televised speech to Congress.

Although such an amendment was defeated in a party line vote in the Senate committee, 59% of voters favor putting a provision in the health care plan that would prohibit any new taxes, fees or penalties on families who make less than $250,000 a year.

Only 29% of voters are willing to pay higher taxes so all Americans can be provided with health insurance.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) are opposed to paying more in taxes to provide universal health care, up five points since May. Twelve percent (12%) aren’t sure.

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However, 55% of voters oppose a provision already in the plan that requires young and healthy Americans to either buy health insurance or pay a $750 annual penalty for not having it.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Republicans and 58% of voters not affiliated with either major party favor middle-class tax cuts over new spending for health care reform. ...

Similarly, 79% of GOP voters and 64% of unaffiliateds are unwilling to pay higher taxes so all Americans can be provided with health insurance. Democrats are more closely divided, with the plurality (46%) supporting higher taxes to help pay for universal health care.
Forty-six percent (46%) of all voters now favor the health care reform plan proposed by the president and congressional Democrats. That’s up five points from a week earlier and, with the exception of “bounces” following a couple of nationally televised presidential appearances, is the first time support for the congressional health care effort has risen.

Fifty percent (50%) are still opposed to the plan.

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