Sixty-five percent (65%) of American voters know that President Bush vetoed a bill expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 8% mistakenly thought the President signed the bill while the rest were not sure.

Of those who knew of the veto, 57% disapproved and 31% supported the President’s action. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Republicans approve of the President’s decision while 88% of Democrats disapprove. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 33% agree with the President and 50% do not.

Among all voters, 70% say it is Very Important to insure that all children under 18 have health insurance. This figure includes 83% of Democrats, 71% of unaffiliateds, and 54% of Republicans. Another 18% of all voters say it Somewhat Important to provide health insurance for all children.

By a 54% to 35% margin, voters believe it is fair to raise cigarette taxes to cover the cost of expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Sixty-two percent (62%) of Democrats believe this approach is fair along with 51% of unaffiliated voters and 49% of Republicans.

Health care is emerging as a key issue for Election 2008 and one on which voters trust Democrats far more than Republicans. Earlier Rasmussen Reports telephone surveys have found that there are both opportunities and challenges for health care reforms in this environment. Only 31% say the current health care system is good or excellent, but most are pleased with their own coverage. A separate survey found that 44% of Americans believe that health care should be offered free to all Americans. This weekend, data will be released showing how people view the potential impact of providing health care services at no cost.

Support for health care coverage stands in strong contrast to support for expanding other government financial assistance. Two-thirds of Americans believe that it is possible for just about anybody who works hard to make a decent living in the United States.Voters strongly reject Hillary Clinton’s proposal to provide a $5,000 savings bond to every child born in the United States.

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