Forty-four percent (44%) of American adults say that health care services should be made available for free to all Americans. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 39% disagree and 17% are not sure.

Fifty-two percent (52%) say that reducing health care costs is a higher priority than making sure everyone is insured. Thirty-nine percent (39%) take the opposite view. Most Democrats (57%) say that providing insurance for everyone is the top priority. Most Republicans (71%) and those not affiliated with either party (52%) say reducing costs should be the priority.

A survey last week by Rasmussen Reports have shown that 50% support government guaranteed health coverage and 62% say the U.S. health care system needs major changes. Another survey, released earlier this week showed that 31% rate the U.S. health care system as good or excellent but that those with insurance are generally happy with their coverage.

The latest survey finds that Democrats favor free health care for all by a 59% to 21% margin. Republicans are opposed by a 64% to 25% margin. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 46% favor free health care and 35% are opposed.

Younger Americans are more supportive of free health care than their elders. Among those under 30, 64% favor free health care. Among senior citizens, there is just 26% support for the notion. A plurality of Americans under 50 favor free health care while a plurality of Americans over 50 are opposed.

Most Americans earning less than $60,000 favor free health care for all. Most earning more than that are opposed.

Among all Americans, only 16% believe that people with medical conditions such as diabetes should pay higher insurance premiums. Seventy percent (70%) disagree.

The survey also found that 47% favor requiring everyone to buy health insurance. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed. Democrats favor this approach by a three-to-one margin. A plurality of Republicans are opposed while a plurality of unaffiliateds are supportive.

Fifty-one percent (51%) say that if someone can’t afford health insurance the government should match payments to help pay their premiums.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of voters rate health care as a Very Important Issue for Election 2008. Fifty-one percent (51%) trust Democrats more on this issue while 35% trust Republicans.

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