Public Opposes Healthcare Reform Plans 48%-45%, But Backs Public Option 51%-37%..

October 20, 2009

The Washington Post reports in a front page story on a new WPost-ABC News poll that "shows that support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public." The Post adds that "overall, 45 percent of Americans favor the broad outlines of the proposals now moving in Congress, while 48 percent are opposed," with "seven in 10 Democrats" backing "the plan" and "almost nine in 10 Republicans" opposing. Independents, meanwhile, "divide 52 percent against, 42 percent in favor of the legislation." However, "a slim majority of Americans, 51 percent, would prefer a plan that included some form of government insurance," while "thirty-seven percent would rather have a bipartisan plan that did not feature a public option"