Next, we'd like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. If you don't have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about -- the Social Security and Medicare systems?
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2023
13
32
20
25
9
2022
12
26
25
29
9
2021
11
33
25
22
9
2020
12
31
25
26
6
2019
12
33
27
23
6
2018
11
32
25
25
7
2017
14
33
24
22
7
2016
8
32
28
27
5
2015
11
26
27
29
7
2014
12
30
26
25
6
2013
14
29
21
29
7
2012
9
25
28
32
7
2008
8
23
29
35
5
2007
9
23
34
29
5
2006
8
27
24
34
6
2005
8
23
29
36
4
2004
7
24
36
29
4
2003
8
27
31
29
5
2002
9
32
29
26
4
2001
6
32
32
25
5
Gallup
Turning now to Medicare, are you optimistic or pessimistic that, 20 years from now, the Medicare program will still provide all Americans over age 65 with adequate healthcare coverage?
Optimistic
Pessimistic
No opinion
%
%
%
2012 Sep 16-17
43
53
4
Gallup
How long do you think it will be until the costs of the Medicare and Social Security programs create a crisis for the federal government -- are they already creating a crisis, will they create a crisis within the next 10 years, within 10 to 20 years, in more than 20 years or not for the foreseeable future?
Already creating crisis
Within 10 years
Within 10-20 years
More than 20 years
Not for foreseeable future
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
2011 Apr
34
33
19
4
7
2
Gallup
Do you think the government should completely overhaul Medicare to control the cost of the program, make major changes to Medicare but not completely overhaul it, make minor changes to Medicare, or should the government not try to control the costs of Medicare?
Completely overhaul
Make major changes
Make minor changes
Not try to control costs
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2011 Apr 11
13
18
34
27
8
Gallup
Now I'd like to ask you about the major entitlement programs the government is committed to, including Social Security and Medicare. Do you think the cost of these programs will create major economic problems for the U.S. in the next 25 years if no changes are made to them, or not?
Yes, will
No, will not
No opinion
%
%
%
2010 Nov 19-21
75
22
3
2010 Sep 13-16
77
18
4
Gallup
If the cost of major entitlement programs does create major economic problems for the U.S., do you think the government should or should not do each of the following to deal with the situation? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?
Yes, should
No, should not
No opinion
%
%
%
Raise taxes
2010 Sep 13-16
42
56
2
Cut benefits
2010 Sep 13-16
31
66
2
Gallup
As you may know, a new government program began on January 1st that provides prescription drug coverage to Medicare recipients. Based on what you have read or heard, do you think that program is working or not working?
Working
Not working
No opinion
%
%
%
National adults
2006 Apr 28-30
36
49
15
2006 Jan 20-22
27
54
20
Adults aged 65+
2006 Apr 28-30
33
53
13
2006 Jan 20-22
20
58
22
Gallup
Do you think it would be better to have -- [ROTATED: the government (or) private insurance companies] -- administer the prescription drug plan for Medicare recipients?
Government
Private insurance companies
No opinion
%
%
%
2006 Jan 20-22
43
47
10
Gallup
Have you, personally, joined the new prescription drug benefit program for Medicare recipients, do you plan to join, or do you not plan to join?
Based on adults aged 65 and older
Joined
Plan to join
Do not plan to join
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2006 Jan 20-22
22
15
55
7
Gallup
How well do you, personally, understand the prescription drug benefit program that will be offered to Medicare recipients -- very well, somewhat well, not too well or not at all?
Based on adults aged 65 and older
Very well
Somewhat well
Not too well
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2005 Dec 16-18
14
21
30
32
3
2005 Dec 9-11
20
22
26
29
3
2005 Sep 26-28
12
25
32
29
2
2005 Aug 5-7
12
25
33
26
4
2005 Jul 22-24
11
23
40
24
2
Gallup
Do you think the program would save you a lot of money on prescription drugs, save you a little money or not save you any money at all?
Based on adults aged 65 and older
Save a lot
Save a little
Not save any
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2005 Dec 16-18
7
35
51
7
2005 Dec 9-11
7
39
47
7
Gallup
Thinking now about different ways the government could help pay for prescription drugs for older Americans, which would you prefer -- [ROTATED: a single government plan that covers the same medications and that costs the same for everybody (or) a choice of plans from HMOs and other private companies that vary in what medications they cover and how much they cost]?
Single government plan
Choice of private plans
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Mar 18-20
62
34
4
Gallup
As you may know, there is a new Medicare law that deals with prescription drug benefits for senior citizens and changes the way Medicare will cover the medical expenses of some senior citizens. Based on what you have heard or read, do you favor or oppose the new prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
National adults
2004 Mar 26-28
41
35
24
2003 Dec 5-7
52
30
18
Aged 65 and older
2004 Mar 26-28
36
48
16
2003 Dec 5-7
46
39
15
Gallup
Which of the following best describes your view of what the changes to Medicare prescription coverage will do to assist seniors who have problems paying for prescription drugs -- [ROTATED: it will help the situation, it will not have much effect or it will hurt the situation]?
Help
Not have much effect
Hurt
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2004 Mar 26-28
35
30
20
15
Gallup
Which of the following best describes your view of what the changes to Medicare will do to solve the problem of making the Medicare system financially secure for the future -- [ROTATED: it will help the situation, it will not have much effect or it will hurt the situation]?
Help
Not have much effect
Hurt
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2004 Mar 26-28
18
37
28
17
Gallup
Do you think the -- [RANDOM ORDER] -- go too far, are about right or do not go far enough?
Too far
About right
Not far enough
No opinion
%
%
%
%
New prescription drug benefits for Medicare recipients