Poll finds Americans skeptic of healthcare reform

ANN ARBOR, Mich. A large percentage of Americans are skeptical that healthcare reform will make health care cheaper or better, according to a new poll.

According to a telephone survey of 3,003 households by Thomson Reuters, 41% of respondents thought reform would make health care more affordable, including 72% of Democrats, 12% of Republicans and 35% of independents. Fewer, 35%, said they thought it would improve quality, including 66% of Democrats, 8% of Republicans and 29% of independents.

At the same time, 63% of respondents expressed a willingness to pay higher taxes for health care, including 78% of Democrats, 48% of Republicans and 64% of independents. Majorities also expressed satisfaction with the status quo: 77% said they were satisfied with their doctors; 68% said they were satisfied with their insurance coverage; and 53% said they were satisfied with out-of-pocket costs.