As Congress returns to take up the health care plan fashioned by President Obama and congressional Democrats, voters are evenly divided over which party they trust more to handle the volatile issue.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that while 44% trust Republicans more on the issue, the identical number (44%) have more faith in the Democrats.

In August, for the first time, Republicans led Democrats on the issue - by three points. Prior to that survey, Democrats held strong leads for several years.

Republicans still lead Democrats on seven out of 10 key electoral issues, including the top issue of the economy.

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Voters remain skeptical about the contents of the health care reform plan. Despite assurances to the contrary by supporters of the bill, 52% of those with insurance say it’s likely they would have to change coverage following passage of the congressional health care reform proposal. Eighty-three percent (83%) of voters nationwide say that people should be required to prove they are a citizen of the United States before receiving government health care subsidies, addressing another murky issue in the plan.

Republicans are pushing Democrats to include so-called tort reform as part of the bill, and 56% of all voters agree that the government should limit the amount of money a jury can award a plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit. If Democrats agree on a health care reform bill that is opposed by all Republicans in Congress, just 24% of voters nationwide say the Democrats should pass that bill. Fifty-eight percent (58%) believe the Democrats should change the bill to win support from "a reasonable number of Republicans.

The GOP leads 47% to 39% on economic issues this month, up from a six-point lead in August. This is the biggest lead Republicans have held on the issue in nearly three years.

Recent polling finds that two-out-of-three American voters (67%) lack confidence that Congress knows what it’s doing when it comes to the economy.

Republicans also have tripled their lead over Democrats on the issue of national security over the past month. Voters now trust them more by a 51% to 39% margin. This is just the second time in nearly three years that more than 50% of voters put more trust in Republicans on the issue.

The GOP also holds double-digit leads on the issues of the War in Iraq and immigration. In August, the parties were tied on Iraq 42% to 42%. Republicans now lead 47% to 37% on the issue.

Voters trust Republicans more on immigration 45% to 33%, up from an eight-point lead in August.

Republicans also hold a lead on the issue of taxes for the eighth straight month, 48% to 40%.

Sixty percent (60%) of likely voters now say tax increases hurt the economy, up six points from last month. A Rasmussen Reports video report released earlier today shows that 47% of voters believe their own personal taxes will increase under the Obama administration, the highest level found since he was elected.

Democrats have regained the lead on education, 45% to 40%, after falling behind on the issue last month by three points. Prior to last month, Democrats held solid leads on the issue for several years.

Democrats also pulled back ahead - 43% to 41% - on Social Security after trailing since June.

When it comes to the issues of government ethics and corruption, voters now trust Republicans slightly more, 35% to 34%. In August, Democrats held a three-point lead on the issue.

Sixty percent (60%) of voters nationwide believe that Obama is at least as ethical as most politicians, down from 74% when he took office in January. The most recent polling on Congress shows that 34% of voters believe most members are corrupt, while 38% disagree.

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See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs for Trust on Issues I and Trust on Issues II are available to Premium Members only.