Poll: Approval of health care reform varies by state, concerns linger nationwide

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This morning Rasmussen Reports released in video form the results of yet another health care poll. Unlike others however this one takes a look at the approval, or lack thereof, for President Obama and Congressional Democrats reform proposals.

Ten states were weeded out and looked at specifically. There was a healthy range of some of more liberal spots in the country (Massachusetts, Connecticut), left-leaners (New Jersey, Minnesota) conservative bastions (Texas), right-leaners (Virginia, North Carolina) and a few battleground states in between (Colorado, New Hampshire, Nevada). The results continue to illustrate the struggles that favorable politicians and reform backers have in convincing the general public of the need of this current version of health care reform.

Rasmussen’s nationwide tracking of the health care issue indicates that over the past ten days of polling (9/8 – 9/18) a combined average of 45.6% Americans approve and 51.4% disapprove of the Democratic administration’s reform plan. These overall numbers are to an extent reflected by the tracking of responses from those citizens residing in the aforementioned states.

Strongest in favor of the new health care plan are not surprisingly the two most Democratic supporting states on our list of ten. Massachusetts sides with the reform proposal by a margin of 52-44% and Connecticut voters are supportive to the tune of 52-46%. President Obama in the 2008 election carried both New England states by margins of 26% and 23% respectively. Next on the list in terms of favorability is New Jersey splitting its voters by a 50-47% margin. The Garden State is one of the precious few where a majority or near majority of voters are in favor of the Democratic health care plan, it’s also one embroiled in a testy Governor’s race. Not surprisingly with the modest approval for reform expressed by New Jersey’s voters incumbent Governor and Democrat Jon Corzine has run ads and campaigned in favor of President Obama’s health care plan.

Two other states on the list, Colorado and Minnesota also show a plurality of voters who favor the current health care reform plan. President Obama and the Democrats face a tougher challenge in the swing-state of New Hampshire however where voters are against the plan 50-47%. Also against by solid percentages are three key states where the Democratic Party made major gains in the last election. Virginia is opposed by a 51-46% margin, Nevada disapproves to the tune of 52-45% and 53% of North Carolina voters are against current reform legislation against just 44% who would like to see it passed.

The reddest of states on Rasmussen’s featured list of ten, Texas, is overwhelmingly against the push for reform brought forth by the President and Democratically controlled Congress. By a margin of 58-40% Texans say “no”. This was of course a state that voted against Obama by nearly ten percentage-points in the last election but also one that echoes many of the fears being expressed by Americans nationwide.

Three subsets of questions asked to New Jersey, Connecticut and Texas voters go into greater detail regarding the negative perceptions of reform. 500 likely voters in New Jersey expressed concern with the overall quality of coverage. In this poll only 29% feel that health care will improve under the new plan against 45% who think it will get worse. Two in ten Garden State voters assume things will stay about the same as they are currently. In Texas the economic impact of new health care legislation is viewed harshly. Only 9% of a thousand polled in the Lone State State are confident the federal deficit will be reduced by reform against 68% who think it will increase the deficit and 15% who say it will have no impact.

Even in left-leaning Connecticut where a majority of voters approve of reform legislation many are still pessimistic of its cost benefits. 43% expect the price of health care coverage to go up against just 24% who expect to see a decrease. Another 26% figure it to stay about the same and 7% remain uncertain.