2009-10-07-皮尤-Mixed_Views_of_Economic_Policies_and_Health_Care_Reform_Persist_45页_184kb

Health and Economic Policy Summary

Overview of Health Care Reform

• Decreased Approval: Approval of health care reform bills dropped to 34% in October 2009, while opposition hit 47%, compared to 42% and 44% in September.
• Key Supports Remain Strong: Despite reduced overall support, majorities favor essential elements like individual health insurance mandates and restrictions on insurance denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Varied Public Understanding and Perception

• Lack of Clarity: The health care reform debate is widely perceived as "hard to understand," with 66% of Americans finding it difficult to grasp.
• Media Coverage: Health care is the predominant topic covered in news, especially following the president's address.

Political Division and Leadership Ratings

• Partisan Approval: Job approval ratings for both Democratic and Republican leaders are at historic lows, with 33% and 24% respectively.
• Independent Shift: Independents now show a higher likelihood of disapproving of both parties' congressional leaders compared to earlier months.

Economic Policies

• Mixed Take on Obama's Economic Policies: While confidence in Obama’s ability to fix the economy remains around 59%, opinions on specific policies are divided.
• Public Works Projects: Spending on infrastructure remains popular, seen as beneficial by 70% of the public.

Health Care Compromise Attitudes

• Willingness to Compromise: Those opposed to health care reform show a preference for compromise to refine legislation over outright opposition.
• Support vs. Opposition Views: Supporters of reform desire stronger legislation (57%) and resist compromise to ensure passage.

Views on Health Care Reform Details

• Broad Endorsement for Principles: Specific reform measures, such as requiring insurance to cover pre-existing conditions and individual mandates, maintain majority support.

Race and Health Care Opposition

• Views on Racism Influence: Black Americans are more likely than whites to believe racism is a major factor in opposition to policies, with 43% favoring this view.

Living Economics and Job Market

• Economic Concern: With unemployment affecting about half of households, job availability remains a top concern, and ratings of personal financial situations remain low.

Financial Regulation Support

• Lessened Trust in Government: Confidence in the government's progress on financial regulation is low, with significant dissent among Republicans on its effectiveness.