According to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, nearly 60% of Californians believe major changes are needed in the state's health care system.

Changes to Health System

The poll found that 62% of Democrats and 61% of independents thought major changes were needed in California's health care system, compared with 53% of Republicans.

Researchers also found that:

• 91% of respondents said that universal children's health coverage is important for preventing illness:


• 60% of respondents said they wanted more emphasis on preventive health care rather than treatment;


• 40% of respondents said they were very satisfied with the quality of their health care; and


• 22% said they were dissatisfied with the quality of their health care.

In addition, 53% of respondents said they were very concerned that California's budget deficit would lead to major cuts in health and human services, while 31% of respondents said they were somewhat concerned.

Federal Health Reform Law

When asked about the federal health reform law, 51% of respondents said they support the overhaul and 36% said they oppose it. The findings show that support for the reform law is stronger in California than it is nationwide. Last month, a nationwide poll by the Associated Press and GfK found that 40% of Americans support the reform law, compared with 41% who oppose it.

Personal Wellness

About 80% of the poll respondents said their health was excellent or very good, with responses varying by ethnicity and socioeconomic conditions. Fifty-one percent of respondents with health insurance coverage said their health is excellent or very good, compared with 31% of those without coverage.