Published on Aug 25 - 2009
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 1 of 9
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Misconceptions Rampant in Debate
Over Health Care Reform in the U.S.
A large proportion of Americans believe illegal immigrants will have the
same access to coverage as every U.S. citizen and legal resident.
[CHICAGO - Aug. 25, 2009] - American adults
are divided in their assessment of the federal
government's proposed health care reform, but a
large proportion of respondents believe that
erroneous claims issued by opponents to the
plan are actually true, a new Angus Reid
Strategies poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative sample
of 1,582 American adults, 77 per cent of
respondents claim to be following news stories
about the government's proposed health care
reform very or moderately closely.
The level of interest in the health care debate is
very similar across political lines (76% of
Democrats, 78% of Republicans, and 80% of
Independents), but respondents over the age of
55 (83%) are paying more attention to these
stories than those aged 18 to 34 (70%).
The Proposed Reform
KEY FINDINGS
77% of Americans are following news
stories about the government's proposed
health care reform very or somewhat
closely
41% support the proposed health care
reform; 44% oppose it
59% erroneously think that illegal
immigrants will have the same access to
coverage as every U.S. citizen and legal
resident if the health care bill passes
Full topline results are at the end of this release.
From August 20 to August 24, 2009, Angus Reid Strategies
conducted an online survey among 1,582 American adults who
are Springboard America panelists. The margin of error-which
measures sampling variability-is +/- 2.5%. The results have
been statistically weighted according to the most current
education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a
sample representative of the entire adult population of the United
States.
The American public is almost evenly split in its
appraisal of the proposed reform, with 41 per
cent of respondents voicing strong or moderate
support for the health care overhaul, while 44 per cent are strongly or moderately opposed.
The survey shows that, among both men and women, strong opposition to the reform is twice as high as
strong support. Respondents over the age of 55 are three times more likely to voice strong opposition to
the proposed health care reform (41%) than strong support (13%).
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 2 of 9
The debate is clearly polarized across party lines, with 53 per cent of Democratic Party supporters in
favor of the reform, compared to only 14 per cent of Republicans. The views of Independents practically
mirror those of the country as a whole (41% support the plan, 45% oppose it).
Truth and Rumors
As part of the survey, respondents were provided with three statements related to the scope and reach of
the health care bill, and asked to state whether they think each of the statements is true or not.
Illegal Immigrants:
Three-in-five Americans (59%) believe that, under the new health care bill, illegal
immigrants will have the same access to coverage as every U.S. citizen and legal resident, including 46
per cent of Democrats and large majorities of Republicans (75%) and Independents (61%).
"Illegal immigrants would not be covered. That idea has never even been on the table." - U.S. President
Barack Obama, Aug. 22, 2009.
Death Panels:
Almost half of Americans (45%) believe that, if the new health care bill passes, a panel
can decide, based on a subjective judgment of a person's level of productivity in society, whether they are
worthy of health care, including 64 per cent of Republicans.
"And as every credible person who has looked into it has said, there are no so-called "death panels"-an
offensive notion to me and to the American people. These are phony claims meant to divide us." - U.S.
President Barack Obama, Aug. 22, 2009.
Senior Citizens:
Three-in-ten Americans (29%) believe that, under the new health care bill, doctors will
encourage the elderly to give up medical care because they are no longer working citizens who will be
paying taxes, including 43 per cent of Republicans.
"[No senior citizen] is going to be written off because they have cancer. That is a vicious, malicious,
untrue rumor." - Sen. Arlen Specter, Aug. 13, 2009.
Analysis
Americans of all political stripes are paying attention to the stories on health care reform, but there are
some clear differences in the way they relate to the proposal. The level of strong opposition from
Republicans (55%) appears to coincide with their belief that the new guidelines will provide health care
access to illegal immigrants and institute the so-called "death panels" to decide who is worthy of care.
Independents are practically divided in their views, but a majority (61%) also believes that illegal
immigrants will get coverage.
Among Democrats, support for the health care overhaul seems tepid (26% strongly, 37% moderately) and
a large proportion (46%) also believes that illegal immigrants are included in the bill. The numbers
suggest that not all Democrats are vigorously embracing the policy.
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 3 of 9
Health Care Reform
How closely have you followed news stories about the government's proposed health care reform?
Region
Total
Very closely
30%
Northeast
27%
Midwest
34%
South
30%
West
29%
Moderately closely
47%
52%
45%
46%
46%
Not too closely
19%
18%
18%
19%
19%
Not closely at all
5%
3%
4%
5%
6%
Health Care Reform
How closely have you followed news stories about the government's proposed health care reform?
Gender
Male
Very closely
33%
Female
28%
18-34
23%
Age
35-54
30%
55+
37%
Moderately closely
48%
45%
47%
46%
46%
Not too closely
16%
22%
22%
20%
15%
Not closely at all
4%
5%
9%
4%
1%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 4 of 9
Health Care Reform
How closely have you followed news stories about the government's proposed health care reform?
Party ID
Democratic
Very closely
31%
Republican
31%
Independent
31%
Moderately closely
45%
47%
49%
Not too closely
20%
17%
16%
Not closely at all
3%
4%
4%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 5 of 9
Health Care Reform
From what you have seen, read or heard, do you support or oppose the government's proposed health
care reform?
Region
Total
Strongly support
14%
Northeast
13%
Midwest
16%
South
14%
West
13%
Moderately support
27%
34%
27%
25%
27%
Moderately oppose
15%
16%
15%
13%
16%
Strongly oppose
29%
21%
30%
33%
28%
Not sure
15%
17%
12%
15%
16%
Health Care Reform
From what you have seen, read or heard, do you support or oppose the government's proposed
health care reform?
Gender
Male
Strongly support
15%
Female
13%
18-34
15%
Age
35-54
14%
55+
13%
Moderately support
29%
26%
32%
28%
23%
Moderately oppose
14%
15%
15%
14%
14%
Strongly oppose
30%
28%
19%
27%
41%
Not sure
12%
18%
19%
16%
10%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 6 of 9
Health Care Reform
From what you have seen, read or heard, do you support or oppose the government's proposed
health care reform?
Party ID
Democratic
Strongly support
26%
Republican
3%
Independent
11%
Moderately support
37%
13%
30%
Moderately oppose
13%
17%
15%
Strongly oppose
8%
55%
30%
Not sure
15%
11%
15%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 7 of 9
Health Care Reform
Here are some things that have been said about the possible effects of the proposed health care reform
in the United States. For each one, please tell us whether you believe the statement is true or not true.
There are no right or wrong answers. It is what you think that matters.
"If the new health care bill passes, illegal immigrants will have the same access to coverage as every
U.S. citizen and legal resident"
Party ID
Total
True
59%
Democratic
46%
Republican
75%
Independent
61%
Not true
41%
54%
23%
39%
Health Care Reform
Here are some things that have been said about the possible effects of the proposed health care reform
in the United States. For each one, please tell us whether you believe the statement is true or not true.
There are no right or wrong answers. It is what you think that matters.
" If the new health care bill passes, doctors will encourage the elderly to give up medical care because
they are no longer working citizens who will be paying taxes"
Party ID
Total
True
29%
Democratic
17%
Republican
43%
Independent
29%
Not true
71%
83%
57%
71%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 8 of 9
Health Care Reform
Here are some things that have been said about the possible effects of the proposed health care reform
in the United States. For each one, please tell us whether you believe the statement is true or not true.
There are no right or wrong answers. It is what you think that matters.
" If the new health care bill passes, a panel can decide, based on a subjective judgment of a person's
level of productivity in society, whether they are worthy of health care"
Party ID
Total
True
45%
Democratic
29%
Republican
64%
Independent
47%
Not true
55%
71%
36%
53%
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
For Immediate Release
United States Public Opinion Poll
Page 9 of 9
Angus Reid Strategies is a full-service polling and market research firm which is a leader in the use of
the Internet and rich media technology to collect high-quality, in-depth insights for a wide array of clients.
Dr. Angus Reid and the Angus Reid Strategies team are pioneers in online research methodologies,
and have been conducting online surveys since 1995.
Angus Reid Strategies, along with its sister company, Vision Critical, is now the largest Canadian-
owned market research enterprise. In addition to its five offices in Canada-located in Vancouver,
Calgary, Regina, Toronto, and Montreal-the firm also has offices in San Francisco, Chicago, New
York, London, Paris and Sydney. Its team of specialists provides solutions across every type and
sector of research, and currently serves over 200 international clients.
Angus Reid Strategies polls are conducted using the Angus Reid Forum (www.angusreidforum.com),
Springboard America (www.springboardamerica.com) and Springboard UK
(www.springboarduk.com) online panels, which are recruited via an industry-leading process that
incorporates a randomized, widespread invitation approach and a triple opt-in screening procedure.
The panels are maintained through state-of-the-art sampling techniques and frequent verifications of
personal identity, contact information, and demographic characteristics. These premier online survey
platforms present respondents with highly visual, interactive, and engaging surveys, ensuring that
panel members provide thoughtful and reliable responses.
Angus Reid Strategies, the only public opinion firm to exclusively use online methods to follow the
views of the electorate during the 2008 federal campaign, offered the most accurate prediction of the
results of Canada's 40th election.
http://angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2008.10.15_Election.pdf
Since 2006, Angus Reid Strategies has covered eight provincial elections in Canada-more than any
other pollster in the country-and the results have accurately predicted the outcome of each of these
democratic processes.
http://angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2008.03.28_Anniversary_1.pdf
http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2008.12.09_QuebecElection.pdf
http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.05.13_BCElection.pdf
http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.06.10_NSElection.pdf
More information on the way Angus Reid Strategies conducts public opinion research can be found
at
http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/ARS.ARF.WP.pdf
- 30 -
For more information, please contact
our spokesperson listed in the footnote.
Copies of this poll are available on our website:
www.angusreidstrategies.com
CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, 604-647-3570,
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
