The most recent public polling on topics such as the popularity of the healthcare law, its impact on the medical profession, health costs, and more.
This Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times survey provides an in-depth look at the experiences of Americans ages 18-64 who say they or someone in their household had problems paying medical bills in the past year. The survey explores the causes of medical bill problems and the impacts they have on individuals and their families, finances, and access to health care. To provide context, a shorter companion survey was conducted among those who do not report having medical bill problems.
Americans want to know what the next U.S. president will do to lower their rising health care costs, a priority shared by Republican and Democratic voters and second only to keeping the country safe. In all, 62% of people surveyed said they would want to know about a presidential candidate’s plan for reducing health care costs.
Only 7% of the uninsured correctly identify this as the deadline to enroll in coverage and 20% say they have been contacted by someone about signing up for coverage. When asked why they have not purchased health insurance this year, nearly half of the uninsured (46%) say they have tried to get coverage but that it was too expensive.
A narrow majority of physicians say Obamacare has a negative impact on medical practice, including on the quality and cost of health care, according to a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association. The report found that 52 percent of physicians look on Obamacare as unfavorable to the general medical situation, while 48 percent say it is favorable.
Polling highlights:
- 31% have delayed medical care because of cost, unchanged from 2014
- Figure has not fallen since ACA reforms
- Americans more likely to put off care for serious condition
While views of the health care law have been narrowly divided for much of the year, this month, more say they have an unfavorable view of the law than a favorable one (45 percent versus 38 percent, a statistically significant difference).
- 53% of Americans rate healthcare quality in U.S. positively
- One in three rate U.S. healthcare coverage positively
- Fewer than one in four satisfied with cost of healthcare
A slight majority of Americans (52%) say they disapprove of 2010 healthcare law known as the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare.” Disapproval of the law, which has generated public opposition from its outset, is up four percentage points since July. Approval of the ACA now stands at 44%, down slightly from 47% this summer.
Favorable and unfavorable views of the health care law are tied this month with 42 percent favorable and 42 percent unfavorable. Compared to when most of the law’s provisions were just taking effect in early 2014, more now say their impression of the health care law is based on their own experience (35 percent now, 23 percent in February 2014), while fewer say it is based on what they’ve seen in the media (30 percent now, 44 percent in February 2014). In addition, the public continues to be divided on what Congress should do about the law – 32 percent say repeal, 11 percent say scale back, 16 percent say move forward with implementation, and 28 percent say expand the law.
Morning Consult conducted a national survey of 1,543 registered voters on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable from September 24-27, 2015. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of ±2.5% (Charts/Toplines/Crosstabs).