The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been a source of controversy since it was enacted. While some Americans view the law favorably, more continue to view the ACA unfavorably, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll.
The results of the poll provide an overview of the public’s perception of the ACA. Here are the highlights of the August-September KFF Health Tracking Poll.
More Continue to View the ACA Unfavorably Than Favorably
The latest poll revealed that 47 percent of pollees had an unfavorable view of the ACA, while only 36 percent had a favorable view and 19 percent did not give an opinion. While the 47 percent of pollees with an unfavorable view may seem high, it is still down from July’s tracking poll where 53 percent of pollees reported an unfavorable view of the ACA.
Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation
When asked about how the ACA has impacted them personally, 56 percent of pollees reported that the law has not directly impacted them or their families. In addition, the poll results showed that among those who had impacted by the ACA:
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27 percent reported that the ACA had hurt them
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14 percent reported that the ACA had helped them
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16 percent of pollees hurt by the ACA reported that the cost of their healthcare or insurance had increased
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6 percent of pollees reported that the ACA has allowed someone in their family to get or keep health insurance coverage
Opinion of ACA Varies Significantly Among Political Party Affiliation
Opinions about the ACA are sharply divided along party lines. While a majority (57 percent) of Democrats reported a favorable opinion of the law, 74 percent of Republicans reported an unfavorable view. Independents fell in the middle ground, with 49 percent expressing a favorable opinion on the law.
Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation
When pollees were asked about how the ACA had affected them, the responses varied among political party affiliations:
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27 percent of Democrats reported that the ACA had helped them
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11 percent of Independents reported that the ACA had helped them
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2 percent of Republicans reported that the ACA had helped them
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10 percent of Democrats reported that the ACA had hurt them
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31 percent of Independents reported that the ACA had hurt them
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46 percent of Republicans reported that the ACA had hurt them
Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation
Click here to read July's Tracking Poll
Read the poll results at Kaiser Family Foundation
