Seventy-eight percent (78%) of voters nationwide say it’s at least somewhat likely that the health care reform legislation working its way through Congress will cost more than projected. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% believe the costs are not likely to exceed projections.

Eighty-one percent (81%) also think passage of the legislation is at least somewhat likely to lead to higher middle-class taxes.

The survey finds that 68% believe the legislation will increase the federal budget deficit. Only 11% say the program will achieve its stated goal of deficit reduction.

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Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters say the cost of care is the biggest health care problem that needs to be addressed. Among this group, 89% say the proposed legislation is likely to exceed cost expectations, 79% believe the plan will increase deficits, and 90% think it is likely to lead to higher taxes for the middle class.

Twenty-three percent (23%) say the lack of universal coverage is the biggest health care problem while 13% cite the quality of care.

Democrats and liberals have more confidence in the plan's cost projections than other voters, but the belief that it will cost more than projected is shared by majorities in all partisan, demographic and ideological groups.

Among Democrats, 42% believe the proposed legislation will increase deficits while 20% believe it will achieve the stated goal of deficit reduction.

The belief that the health care plan will increase the deficit and lead to higher middle class taxes has been consistent throughout the debate. This is the first time Rasmussen Reports has asked if the cost of the plan will exceed projections.

As they have all year, voters say cutting the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term is President Obama’s number one budget priority, with health care reform coming in second. Democrats put the emphasis on health care reform, while Republicans and voters not affiliated with either party think deficit cutting is more essential.

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