Support for Obamacare Care Low

41% Support Health Care Legislation, 53% Oppose

The U.S. Senate is now formally beginning debate on a plan to reform health care in America, but most voters remain opposed to the plan working its way through Congress.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of voters nationwide favor the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. Fifty-three percent (53%) are opposed to it. Those figures include 22% who Strongly Favor the plan and 40% who are Strongly Opposed.

Support for the legislation is up three percentage points from a week ago. However, last week’s results were the lowest level of support ever recorded for the plan. With the exception of a few days following nationally televised presidential appeals for the legislation, the number of voters opposed to the plan has always exceeded the number who favor it.

While advocates say the plan is needed to control the cost of health care, 56% of voters now say it will have the opposite impact and push prices even higher. Just 17% believe passage of the plan will lead to lower costs.

Fifty percent (50%) believe passage of the legislation will lead to a lower quality of care while just 18% believe the care will get better.

Passing Obamacare could be the swan song for embattled Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) Nevada wgo is trailing badly in his 2010 reelection bid. Democrats generally are suffering from an exceptional anti-incumbent mood as are many Republicans.

Those facing elections next year, which include all members of the House and half of serving Senators, are loath to have the Obamacare debate drag on into 2010 fearing it couldmcost them their reelection.