Twenty-nine percent (29%) of American adults favor a national health insurance program overseen by the Federal Government. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 39% oppose such a government-led initiative while 31% are not sure.

The survey also found that 46% believe the quality of care would decrease under a national health insurance program while 16% believe that quality would increase. Twenty percent (20%) say the quality of care would remain about the same while 18% are not sure.

At the same time, 42% believe the cost of health care would increase while 25% would expect prices to go down.

While opposing a national program overseen by the federal government, Americans support requiring companies to provide health insurance for their employees. Sixty-three percent (63%) favor such a requirement while 24% are opposed.

An earlier survey found that just 31% rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent.

At the same time, people give much higher reviews to their own health care coverage.

Another survey found that half of all Americans say they support providing free health care for all citizens. However, support for free coverage drops dramatically if it would require changing to a new insurance program.

The current survey found strong partisan differences on all questions.

Republicans strongly oppose national health insurance by a 59% to 25% margin. Democrats are more evenly divided—35% of Democrats favor, 26% oppose, and 39% are not sure. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 25% favor national health insurance overseen by the federal government. Thirty-five percent (35%) of unaffiliateds oppose such a program while 38% are undecided.

Health care is one of the top issues of Election 2008. It has tended to benefit Senator Hillary Clinton over Senator Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Looking to the general election, the economy, the War in Iraq, and National Security are the top issues. At this point in time, Senator John McCain is in a competitive race with both Democrats in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

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