In this election year 80 percent of U.S. adults believe Congress needs to address the issue of affordability in the coming year.  Given the elevated public discourse surrounding the reform issue, political party affiliation was recorded in order to explore commonalities and differences in opinion across party lines.

Support for universal healthcare remains high, with seven out of ten U.S. adults (69%) believing the time has come for universal healthcare in America (down from 72% in 2007).  Democrats are much more supportive than Republicans (84% vs. 45%) of this idea, while 67 percent of Independents support it.

The notion of raising taxes to achieve universal healthcare has lost some support.  Today, 57 percent of Americans agree we need universal healthcare in America, even if it means increasing taxes, down from 63 percent in 2007.  Republicans are the least supportive of this statement (only 38% agree), while Democrats are the most supportive (70% agree), with Independents falling in between (59%).

There is broad support across party lines for two policies regarding healthcare reform:

• Eighty-one percent of Republicans and 80 percent of Democrats agree that America's health insurance system should allow each individual to select the health insurance plan that meets his/her needs.  This initiative also draws support from Independents (86%) and those who are undecided (82%).
• Eighty-two percent of Democrats and 78 percent of Republicans agree that low income families should get tax credits so they can better afford healthcare.  Eighty percent of Independents and those who are undecided also agree.

For more information about reform issues, please download the report.