Sixty-seven percent (67%) of voters nationwide now expect that health care reform legislation will pass this year. That’s up from 49% before the Senate passed its version of the legislation on Christmas Eve - and by far the highest level of expectation yet measured.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, conducted on Sunday, finds that just 22% now consider passage of the plan unlikely.

However, while expectations for passage have risen dramatically, support for the plan has not. Just 40% of voters nationwide now favor it while 55% are opposed. Those figures are essentially unchanged from a week ago. This is the sixth straight week with support for the legislation between 38% and 41% (see question wording and trends).

As has been the case throughout the debate, those who feel strongly about the issue are more likely to be opposed. Just 21% of voters Strongly Favor the plan while 43% are Strongly Opposed.

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One reason for public opposition to the plan is the growing belief that its passage will increase the cost of health care. Sixty-three percent (63%) now believe the legislation will increase costs. That’s up from 58% a week ago. In September, the number who expected the health care plan to increase the cost of care stayed a few points above or below the 50% level.

Only 13% now believe the proposal will achieve its stated goal of reducing the cost of health care.

By a 54% to 24% margin, voters now believe that passage of the plan will make the quality of care worse. Those figures have remained fairly consistent for months.

Also consistent throughout the health care debate has been the partisan nature of the response and strong opposition from senior citizens.

The latest numbers show that 76% of Democrats favor the plan while 82% of Republicans are opposed. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 28% support the plan and 66% are opposed.

Senior citizens are opposed by a 63% to 31% margin.

As on many issues, there is a huge gap between the Political Class and the rest of the nation. While most Americans oppose the health care plan working its way through Congress, 94% of the Political Class favor it (see more on the Political Class).

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