PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The devil's in the details for 39 percent of Americans who say their support of healthcare reform depends on the bill's particulars, a Gallup Poll indicated.
The findings, released Wednesday, also showed another 39 percent of people polled indicated they were still on the fence, 25 percent said they would support the final bill while 33 percent said they would oppose it.
By 58 percent-to-38 percent margin, respondents also indicated they would rather see Congress tackle healthcare reform gradually over several years instead of trying to pass a comprehensive plan this year, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.
One of reform's more controversial points -- a government-run health insurance option to compete with private insurers -- found Americans split 50 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed, Gallup reported.
Of the 39 percent of respondents who had a wait-and-see attitude, Gallup reported 56 percent would be receptive to a bill with a public option, as well as one that raises income taxes on the wealthiest Americans to help pay for reform. This subgroup joined the overall opposition to reducing Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals, and taxing insurance plans with expensive benefits.
Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,521 adults conducted Friday through Monday. The overall margin of error is 3 percentage points.
