Most Americans want consumers to be able to get financial help to buy health insurance no matter what the Supreme Court says about the subsidies.

According to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 54 percent wants Congress to act to ensure that eligible people in all states are able to receive federal help should the Supreme Court nix the subsidies in the King v. Burwell case. On the other hand, 35 percent oppose such an action.

Findings come just as the Supreme Court begins hearing arguments for the subsidies case. The case calls into question the legality of federal subsidies for individuals purchasing health insurance on the federal exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The poll results show a more partisan result as compared to previous surveys. NBC/Wall Street Journal found that just one in four GOP voters say Congress should step in to provide the subsidies, compared with 81 percent of Democrats. Other surveys, including one by the Kaiser Family Foundation, have found that despite political affiliation, most want the subsidies to survive the Supreme Court case.

Read: SCOTUS ruling could boot nearly 10 million

Another big difference found in this poll is difference in opinion by gender. Women are much more likely than men to say Congress should help provide the health care help. Six in ten women say lawmakers should provide a legislative fix, while 48 percent of men back congressional action.

Meanwhile, the poll found, the public still has a negative view of PPACA despite most backing a subsidy fix. Just more than half (51 percent) say the law should have a major overhaul or should be totally eliminated, while 47 percent say it's working well or needs just small changes.

The survey of 800 registered voters was conducted Feb. 25-28 and has a margin of error of plus-minus 3.46 percent.

Instant Insights /

Public wants Congressional fix if SCOTUS kills subsidies

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