Poll Gauges The Role of Health Reform In The Mid-Term Election

[ehrnst]

The Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds that voters say health care reform was a factor that influenced their vote, but not a dominant one. The economy/jobs was the factor mentioned by voters most often (29%), followed by party preference (25%) and views of the candidates themselves (21%). Health care ranked fourth at 17 percent. Those 17 percent of voters who named health care as one of their top voting factors were more likely than non-health care voters to back a Republican candidate for Congress (59% vs. 44%), and to say they have a “very unfavorable” view of the law (56% vs. 33%).

Looking ahead, Americans remain divided about what lawmakers should do, with 21 percent of the public favoring expansion of the health reform law, 19 percent wanting to leave it as is, a quarter wanting to repeal parts of the law, and 24 percent wanting the entire law repealed. Among mid-term voters, a majority (56%) would like to see the law repealed entirely or in part. Voters split sharply along partisan lines. Two-thirds of those who voted for Democratic candidates want the law expanded or left as is, while and eight in 10 of those who voted Republican support full or partial repeal.

Several key provisions of health reform remain popular, even among those who support repeal of all or parts of the law. Majorities of supporters of repeal would like to keep tax credits for small businesses offering coverage; the prohibition on insurance companies denying coverage based on medical history or health condition; the gradual closing of the Medicare prescription drug “doughnut hole”; and financial subsidies to help low and moderate income Americans purchase coverage. By contrast, two-thirds of the general public support repealing the individual mandate, another key provision in the law.


http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/8120.cfm

(edited to add the org conducting the poll)

[dkf]

1. 2/3rds want to repeal the individual mandate. That was always the problem with this bill.

[ehrnst]

3. It's interesting because polls show that the people that don't know what's really in the bill

Are the ones that want the whole thing repealed.

The problem is - in order to control premiums, all must be covered. That's the mechanism behind all universal coverage.

We all pay for the uninsured, one way or another.

[dkf]

5. The only entity that could control premiums is single payer.

Beyond that it is all a mish mash.

[kctim]

8. The problem is

a mandate is the only way all can be covered and Americans are not big fans of government mandates.

[laughingliberal]

7. Yep. And it was one of the reasons many supported Obama over Hillary.

It was what tipped my decision in his favor.

[dkf]

9. Me too.

It felt a little bait and switch to me.

[okieinpain]

2. yeah that's smart cut out the part that pays for the bill. something

for nothing.

[Bandit]

4. You have just named What Republicans stand for

Something for nothing.."Money for nothing and chicks for free" They do not want to pay any taxes to support their communities or their country, only want more for themselves with no cost..

[ehrnst]

10. I want my, I want my, I want my G-O-P.... (nt)

[dkf]

6. That is when people make decisions as to whether the cost is worth it.