Poll: U.S. adults dislike healthcare bill

WASHINGTON, July 17 (UPI) -- U.S. adults, by a 50-42 margin, oppose the House of Representatives' healthcare bill introduced July 14, a U.S. survey indicates.

Dr. S. Ward Casscells of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston said the bill would call for most employers to sponsor health plans and would create a Medicare-style plan for those under 65 who have no other health plan.

"The increased costs would be covered by increasing income taxes on individuals making more than $280,000 and families making more than $350,000," Casscells says in a statement.

The survey, conducted by Zogby International and commissioned by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, found 84 percent of those who are insured are satisfied with their healthcare. However, for those without insurance, 46 percent had some level of satisfaction with their healthcare.

The survey, presented at a National Press Club Newsmaker conference in Washington, indicated 80 percent agreed that rising healthcare costs are hurting American businesses.

Most said they believe people with pre-existing conditions should be eligible for health insurance and most also endorse higher premiums for those who smoke and/or refuse vaccines and cancer screening.

The online survey of 3,862 adults nationwide, conducted June 18-22, has a margin of error of plus/minus 1.6 percentage points.