American adults doubt that President Obama can expand health care without boosting taxes on the middle class, and overwhelming majorities are ready to oppose plans that would result in higher taxes, according to a Gallup poll taken Sept. 11-13.
Fifty-six percent said they are not confident the Obama administration can cover the government's increased tab for health care by wringing savings out of Medicare and other government-financed health programs. Forty-three percent say they are confident the government can cover its health bills this way.
A 40 percent plurality of the poll's respondents say the proposed overhaul would improve coverage in the United States, but a similar number said it would not improve costs, insurance company behavior, or the overall quality of health care.
And while plans to overhaul the system are still in the drafting stage, the middle class has already become a political minefield if government raises their costs or reduces their access to health care:
Seventy-three percent said they would oppose a plan that would cause higher taxes on the middle class.
Seventy-eight percent said they would oppose it if the middle class has to pay more for health care.
Eighty-four percent said they would oppose it if access to doctors or treatments became more restrictive.
Eighty-five percent would oppose it if quality of health care for the middle class declined.
"With 50% of Americans backing health care reform in principle, it is unclear whether the president has enough of a public mandate at this point to convince reluctant members of Congress to vote for healthcare reform," Gallup said.
The poll was based on telephone interviews with 1,030 adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
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