AP-GfK poll shows gains for health care overhaul, supoort now at 45/42 versus 39/46 last month.

[jefferson_dem]

AP-GfK poll shows gains for health care overhaul

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and TREVOR TOMPSON
Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The patient is alive and kicking. A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds public support for President Barack Obama's new health care law has risen to its highest point.

The nation remains divided, with 45 percent in favor and 42 percent opposed to the president's signature domestic accomplishment.

Still, the shift in public sentiment was significant. Opposition to the overhaul increased after Congress passed it in March. And last month, supporters were outnumbered 39 percent to 46 percent. But the latest survey found the strongest backing for the health care plan since the AP-GfK poll began asking in September.

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The poll found support increased since May among men (from 36 percent to 46 percent), people in their prime working years (from 35 percent to 49 percent among 30-49 year-olds) and Republicans (from 8 percent to 17 percent.) The uptick among Republicans comes even as party leaders are calling for the law's repeal.

The changes coincide with a concerted effort by the Obama administration, congressional Democrats and their allies to sell the immediate benefits of the law.

Those include coverage for young adults on their parents' plan until they turn 26, a $250 rebate check for seniors with high prescription costs, tax credits for some small businesses that cover their employees and federal funding to train more primary care doctors and nurses.

"They are clearly making progress in convincing more Americans that this bill is the right way to go," said Robert Blendon, a Harvard University public health school professor who tracks opinion trends on health care.

But the prognosis for Obama and the Democrats is still uncertain. "In my view, they can claim victory if it gets a majority," Blendon added. "The country is so polarized, it just might not make it."

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_AP_POLL_HEALTH_OVERHAUL?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[vaberella]

1. American's don't know what the fuck they want. n/t

[Jennicut]

2. I think support will grow with time. 49% among people in their prime

working years is very good. When people's fears don't come true, they have a tendency to reevaluate what they originally thought.

[Clio the Leo]

3. And there's a REASON why they sent out the Medicare doughnut hole checks...

.... before the mid-terms. ;)

[emulatorloo]

4. Thanks for posting.