Poll Says Most Americans Support Universal Health Coverage

A poll from The New York Times and CBS News found that most Americans support guaranteed universal health insurance and are willing to pay more taxes for the privilege. Nearly 80 percent said that providing universal coverage was more important than future tax cuts.

Most of the respondents reported that they were satisfied with their health care but also expressed "widespread concern" about costs. Nearly one-half of respondents said that they have experienced cutbacks in coverage or increases in out-of-pocket payments over the past few years. The poll also found that affordable health care is Americans' top domestic concern. They disagree, however, along party lines about whether people should be mandated by government to participate in a national health plan or whether the government should provide the coverage.