NBC/WSJ poll: More would be pleased if health law ruled unconsti - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Poll: More favor Overturn of Health Care Law

NBC/WSJ poll: More would be pleased if health law ruled unconstitutional

By NBC's Mark Murray

With the U.S. Supreme Court set to decide on President Obama's health-care law on Thursday, more Americans say they would be pleased if the law is ruled unconstitutional than constitutional, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

 In the survey, 37 percent say they would be pleased if the Supreme Court finds the law unconstitutional, versus 22 percent who say they would be disappointed with that outcome.

 On the flip side, 28 percent say they would be pleased if the court rules the law is constitutional, compared with 35 percent who say they would be disappointed.

But pluralities on both questions maintain they would have mixed feelings with either outcome, suggesting that opinion could change depending on how the Supreme Court ultimately decides on Thursday.

 What's more, if the law's individual mandate is found to be unconstitutional, 25 percent say that would hurt them and their families; 18 percent say it would help; and 55 percent say it wouldn't make a difference.

 Overall, 35 percent think the health-care law is a good idea, versus 41 percent who believe it's a bad idea -- numbers that have been essentially unchanged in the survey since it was signed into law in March 2010.

The full NBC/WSJ poll -- which was conducted June 20-24 of 1,000 adults, and which has a margin of error of plus-minus 3.1 percentage points -- will be released today at 6:30 pm ET.

 And, turning to the issue of health care...

Q33        From what you have heard about Barack Obama's health care plan that was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2010*, do you think his plan is a good idea or a bad idea?  If you do not have an opinion either way, please just say so. (IF GOOD IDEA/BAD IDEA, THEN ASK) And, do you feel that way strongly, or not so strongly?

Q34        If the Supreme Court rules that the health care law is constitutional meaning that it will be implemented would you be pleased, disappointed, or would you have mixed feelings about it? 

                (IF PLEASED/DISAPPOINTED) And, would you be very or just somewhat (pleased/disappointed) if the Supreme Court rules that the health care law is constitutional?*

Q35        If the Supreme Court rules that the health care law is unconstitutional meaning that it will not be implemented would you be pleased, disappointed, or would you have mixed feelings about it?

                (IF PLEASED/DISAPPOINTED) And, would you be very or just somewhat (pleased/disappointed) if the Supreme Court rules that the health care law is unconstitutional?**

Q36        Now, if the Supreme Court rules that the part of the health care law called the individual mandate, that requires everyone to either have or buy health insurance is unconstitutional and will not be implemented, do you think this will help you and your family, hurt you and your family, or not make much difference either way?**