Reform could hinge on the insured, who support reform but fear change

"Although polls have consistently shown that just over half of Americans think the health-care system is in need of reform, a substantial majority say they are satisfied with their own insurance and care," the Washington Post reports.

"Any hope of changing the system will require their support, according to experts and advocates across the ideological spectrum."

Even Americans who voted for President Obama, support universal health care and believe the health system "needs changing" are worried their they will lose their current insurance. A recent poll found that 83 percent of adults were satisfied with the health care they receive and only slightly fewer were satisfied with their insurance coverage.

"But that does not mean that many if not most Americans are necessarily opposed to change. In fact, polls also show that a majority of Americans think the health-care system needs reforming." A Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted this month found that 56 percent believe health reform is especially important because of the struggling economy. One explanation of the paradox is that even people who like their insurance worry about losing it.

However, even though people tend to believe the system needs reform, they are also "concerned that any changes in the system might end up hurting them more than it helps them," the Post reports. "It places a limit on how much risk people are willing to accept," said Robert Blendon, a Harvard professor of health policy.