The public clearly favors expanding health care to cover more Americans, but support for a universal health care system varies depending on survey question wording -- an indication that the public is still working through their thinking on this issue. Even though health care is sure to be a focal point in the 2008 presidential elections, the public has yet to come to terms with the various approaches and tradeoffs involved in reform. For example, Americans say they are in favor of a host of proposals to expand coverage, particularly tax credits for employers. But when faced with the possibility of having to pay more in insurance premiums or taxes, responses can change depending on how the question is worded and what tradeoffs are cited. Relatively few say they expect their own health to improve under a universal system, and half say the quality of their care would remain the same. And while most say it is the federal government's responsibility to guarantee health insurance for all Americans, they are divided on whether it should be required by law.

About half of Americans say a universal health care system would have little effect on the quality and availability of their...