Only 27% of voters nationwide favor a single-payer health care system where the federal government provides coverage for everyone. That’s down five points from August.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% are opposed to a single-payer system and another 12% are undecided.

Most Democrats (54%) favor this type of system, though 37% are opposed. Most Republicans (87%) and voters not affiliated with either party (64%) are opposed to the idea.

There is little difference in opinion between those voters who currently have health insurance and those who do not.

Voters who are not married are slightly more supportive than married voters of a single payer system.

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Lack of support for the single-payer system may stem from the fact that 59% of voters believe it would lead to higher health care costs. Just 16% say health care costs would be lower under the system, and another 16% say costs would remain about the same.

When it comes to quality, 55% of voters say a single payer health care system would lower the overall quality of health care. One in four voters (25%) believes the quality of health care would remain about the same, while just 16% believe the system would increase the quality of care.

Most voters believe that cost is the biggest problem with our nation’s health care system and getting costs down is the key to reform. Overall, 49% rate the current system as good or excellent. At the same time, however, 53% say major changes are needed.

Overall, just over half the nation’s voters have consistently opposed the health care plan proposed by the president and congressional Democrats.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide favor limiting the amount of money a jury can award a plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Forty-eight percent (48%) believe it is too easy to sue for medical malpractice while 19% believe it is too hard.

Other popular reform items include removing the anti-trust exemption enjoyed by health insurance companies and allowing people to purchase policies across state lines. Two-out-of three Americans believe that free market competition is better than government regulation when it comes to controlling costs.

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