The Medicare program does not currently cover the cost of prescription drugs. Some people would like to add this benefit to Medicare, even though it means that Medicare will incur higher costs. Others oppose it because it may mean an increase in premiums, taxes or both. With this said, would you favor or oppose expanding Medicare to cover prescription drugs? (If favor/oppose, ask:) Is that strongly or somewhat favor/oppose? (First probe on don't know:) Which of those categories would you lean towards? (Second probe:) If you had to choose one category which would you choose?

Subpopulation/Note: * = less than .5 percent

Strongly favor including leaners	34%
Somewhat favor including leaners	37%
Somewhat oppose including leaners	13%
Strongly oppose including leaners	13%
Depends	1%
Don't know	2%
Refused	*

Survey by Employee Benefit Research Institute, Consumer Education Council. Methodology: Conducted by Matthew Greenwald & Associates, May 13-June 14, 1999 and based on telephone interviews with a national adult sample of 1,001. Data provided by The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut.