Forty-six percent (46%) of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That’s up five points from a week ago. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% are opposed to the plan.

With the exception of “bounces” following a couple of nationally televised presidential appearances, this is the first time support for the congressional health care effort has risen. Rasmussen Reports is tracking support for the plan on a weekly basis.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Democrats now favor the plan while 80% of Republicans are opposed. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 39% favor the plan, but 55% oppose it.

While voters have concerns about the details of the plan being considered in Congress, 54% of voters believe major changes are needed in the health care system. Sixty-one percent (61%) say it’s important for Congress to pass health care reform this year, but most would prefer a series of smaller reforms rather than a comprehensive approach.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

As Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, wrote recently in the Wall Street Journal: “The most important fundamental is that 68% of American voters have health insurance coverage they rate good or excellent. … Most of these voters approach the health care reform debate fearing that they have more to lose than to gain.” A Rasmussen video report shows that 53% of those with insurance believe it’s likely they would have to change coverage if the congressional plan becomes law.

Despite strong efforts by the White House to counter that belief, including numerous comments by the president himself, there has been no change for months in the number who fear they will be forced out of their current coverage.

New polling data released yesterday shows that people's fear of losing their current health insurance coverage trumps support for a public option government insurance plan.

If the congressional plan passes, 28% of voters say the quality of health care will get better, and 48% say it will get worse. In August, the numbers were 23% better and 50% worse.

Forty-seven percent (47%) say passage of the plan will make the cost of health care go up while 24% say it will make costs go down. In August, 52% thought the plan would lead to higher costs, and just 17% thought it would achieve the stated goal of lowering costs.

Fifty-two percent (52%) now say passage of health care reform is likely while 38% say it is not. Those figures include 15% who say passage is Very Likely and 11% who say it is Not at All Likely.

Just 22% of voters believe that most members of Congress will understand what is in the health care plan before they vote on it.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.