The problem you are not seeing is that doctors and support staff are not overpaid at this moment. When you consider that there aren't enough doctors to supply the needs of the patient pool they are actually underpaid, big time. I work for around 75 doctors only 10% are American born. Kinda sad in my opinion.
Actually the plans as they stand will drive costs up at a much higher rate. The structure needs to be changed so that consumers can see the actual costs. Right now people believe those statements they get after proceedures are the actual costs. Not even close. The problem is the system (which includes Medicare and Medicade) forces doctors to inflate prices so that after the contractual reductions they can cover costs. It is a silly game born of a broken system.
Cap and trade, just look at big tobacco litigation. Where did the cost go? Taxing utilities who know they customers are dependant on their services will only shift the costs to the consumer. The rich can afford the increases the poor will be subsidized, as usual the middle class will bare the cost. Card check will push unions on businesses that even the employees don't want. The unions don't care about the employees or the business they just want the cash flow of the union dues. The thing that makes me sick about unions is they have become the monster they once fought against.
I agree the wording of these polls get the results they want. Still at the heart of it people want changes they just don't want them until the economy recovers. I am very suspicious of claims that this must happen now when the only changes a year from now are a stronger economy and less Democrats in office.
I agree fear is driving everything. Rational choices must be made. I don't think the fear is going away until people see a real recovery. I can look at the data and see and understand that the worst is over. Not many people can do that. People will always fear what they don't understand.
So what exactly is the downside to waiting until next year and making sure the legislation is really reform instead of a bunch of politicians wanting their name on a bill. Obama's hasn't explained anything. He goes between Bush did it or creating a straw man (big pharma, big business).
The problem with this is once legislation is in place it is very hard to remove. That and if it nukes our economy there is little that can be done at that point to fix it. A lot of people no longer believe that he can fix anything. This creates a huge problem because if no one believes in him even a good plan won't fix anything because of fear. It becomes self fullfilling profacy.

He needs to show he is listening to the people. I would suggest tabling health care reform to the spring. This will let people relax and spend for Christmas. This will boost the recovery and show real recovery in the spring. People will feel safer and not pick everything apart. If the plan is a good one it will still pass.