Poll shows Iowans split on health care reform

(AP) -- A poll shows Iowans are divided over proposed changes to the nation's health care system.

The poll in Friday's Des Moines Register finds Iowans tend to oppose the congressional reform effort in general and are at odds over many of the specific proposals.

The survey finds that on the overall health reform plans, 47 percent say they're opposed and 43 percent say they're in favor.

When it comes to the way Congress has handled the issue, the poll shows 61 percent express negative feelings, while 24 percent are somewhat optimistic or very optimistic.

The telephone poll of 803 Iowans ages 18 and older was conducted Sept. 14 to 16 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.