Poll: Most see tax hikes in health reform

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Forty-nine percent of Nevadans oppose President Barack Obama's health care reform proposal and 43 percent support it, according to a statewide poll.

The telephone survey of 500 registered voters conducted for the Las Vegas Review-Journal also found that 77 percent of Nevadans think the plan will require tax increases.

The poll found that 74 percent of Nevada Democrats back the Obama initiative, while only 9 percent of Republicans approve.

The 49 percent opposed to Obama's plan is down from 50 percent in a similar August poll, while the 43 percent in support is up from 40 percent.

The poll, conducted Tuesday through Thursday by Washington, D.C.-based Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

When it comes to the best way to reduce the number of uninsured Americans and reduce long-term health care costs, 36 percent of those surveyed preferred allowing insurance companies to compete across state lines.

A public health insurance option is favored by 25 percent, while 11 percent favor expanding eligibility for existing programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Only 8 percent believe no action is necessary.

Eric Herzik, a University of Nevada, Reno, political science professor, said the fact that only 8 percent don't want change is compelling.

"People believe something has to be done," he said. "They're just not sure what."

Nearly half of Nevadans polled - 46 percent - believe health care reform will result in rationing of care. Forty-five percent believe reform will result in major cuts to Medicare programs. That also breaks down along party lines.

On the issue of requiring all Americans to have health insurance, 48 percent approve while 42 percent disapprove. Democrats back the requirement as part of their reform package because they believe a larger pool lowers costs.

Herzik said Republicans are showing their Libertarian streak on the issue, in effect telling the government, "You can't make me do something."

Brad Coker, managing partner Mason-Dixon, said he thinks Obama could pay a political price if his plan leads to tax increases.

"The president has to be very careful regarding his campaign pledge" of not imposing new taxes on families making less than $250,000 in order to pass health care reform, Coker said.