Among those, in a Harvard School of Public Health survey, who say they have at least some understanding of the phrase "socialized medicine" (82%):

• 45% say such a system would be better
• 39% percent say it would be worse
• 12% say they do not know
• 4% say about the same

The poll shows striking differences by party identification.

• 70% of Democrats say that a socialized medical system would be better than our current system.
• 70% of Republicans say that socialized medicine would be worse than our current system.

Independents are more evenly split with 43% saying socialized medicine would be better and 38% worse.