How Middle Class Voters Feel About the Affordable Health Care Act
To: Friends of the YG Network
Date: March 21, 2012
Re: How Middle Class Voters Feel About the Affordable Health Care Act
In conjunction with the two-year anniversary of President Obama's signature health care law, a new poll was conducted by the YG Policy Center of 1000 registered voters focused on health care reform. The poll was conducted to gather information about the public's view on the Affordable Care Act and a variety of other health care issues facing America.
The President repeatedly made clear that the Affordable Health Care Act was designed to help middle class families. Many on the left said that the political benefits from helping these Americans would be undeniable. A look at this survey reveals that many of these families have deep reservations and concerns about the Affordable Health Care Act.
The national survey revealed the following about middle class (annual income of $50-100,000) voters:
94% have heath care coverage. Of those middle class voters, 88% are either "somewhat" or "very" satisfied with their coverage.
46% either "somewhat" (13%) or "strongly" (33%) oppose the Affordable Care Act that passed in 2010. Only 24% "strongly" support the law and 15% "somewhat" support it. Since passage of the law, 51% say their health care costs have "gone up," with only 3% saying costs have "gone down." 43% said health care costs have stayed the same.
64% believe that the 2010 Affordable Care Act will increase their health care costs, 7% say it will lower costs, and 22% believe the law will have no effect on the cost of care. 60% say the law will increase health insurance or Medicare premiums, 6% say it will cause premiums to decrease. 24% believe the law will have no effect on insurance/Medicare premiums.
63% believe the Affordable Care Act will increase the deficit, 6% believe it will lower the deficit, and 18% say it will have no effect on the deficit.
62% believe the Affordable Care Act will cause their taxes to increase, 3% say it will lower taxes, and 26% say the law will have no effect on their taxes.
As for the quality of care received, 32% believe the Affordable Care Act will lower it, 16% say it will increase quality, and 43% believe the law will have no effect. 69% of middle class voters believe that under the Affordable Care Act, they will be able to keep their current plan if they like it.
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The survey shows that middle class voters believe that several important claims that President Obama used to sell the legislation before its passage are false. Specifically, participants were asked whether they believed the following statements about the Affordable Care Act were true or false:
1) “The plan will not add one dime to the federal budget deficit.” Middle class voters believe that statement is false by a 73% margin. Only 20% believed the statement to be accurate.
2) "The plan will lower health insurance premiums for the average family by two thousand five hundred dollars per year.” Middle class voters believe that statement is false by a 71 to 20% margin.
3) “The plan will lower health care costs for individuals, businesses, and the federal government.” Middle class voters believe that statement is false by a 66 to 27% margin.
4) "The plan will not require cuts in Medicare.” Middle class voters believe that statement is false by a 56 to 31% margin.
5) "The plan will not increase taxes for anyone who earns under two hundred fifty thousand dollars a year.” Middle class voters believe that statement is false by a 60 to 31% margin.
6) “The plan will not lead to a doctor shortage, rationing, or harm the quality of care.” Middle class voters believe that statement is false by a 56 to 37 percent margin.
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Supreme Court & Congress
Middle class voters do not believe that the federal government has the authority to require every American to buy health insurance or pay a fine by a 72-23% margin.
Middle class voters believe that Congress should "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act by a 56-38% margin. They were 41% more likely to support a Congressional candidate who supported "repeal and replace" compared to 24% less likely.
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What the Middle Class Wants in Health Reform (% reflects the number that support the following health care proposals):
"Reforming the medical malpractice system to reduce the number of lawsuits against doctors & hospitals." - 74/19%
"Allowing young people to purchase health insurance policies with basic, limited coverage at much lower premiums than currently available." 91/6%
"Allowing people to purchase health insurance across state lines to increase the number of options in the marketplace." 79/14%
"Allowing people to purchase health insurance on an a la carte basis, so they could buy a cheaper policy that does not cover the things they do not need or want." 83-14%
"Allowing individuals to purchase health insurance coverage with pre-tax dollars, so that they can have an insurance policy they can own themselves and keep if they change jobs." 89-8%
"Requiring health insurance plans to offer insurance to people who have a pre-existing condition." 93-5%
"Expanding health savings accounts that allow people to save money tax-free for use on any medical expenses." 86-10%
"Using block grants to give states more flexibility on how they administer their Medicaid plans." 63-24%.
"Encouraging health care reform at the state level, rather than the federal level, so that each state can enact reforms that are best for its residents." 67-29%
"Allowing seniors who choose to do so to purchase private health insurance coverage with Medicare money, instead of using traditional Medicare." 61-30%
"Ensuring that patients and doctors can make health care decisions without the interference of government bureaucrats." 86/8%
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All information above is public, and for your convenience can be found at: http://ygpolicy.org/research-materials
This survey and other important topics will be discussed at the March 30th YG Network Health Care Summit at the W Hotel in Washington. In the meantime, keep up to date with YG on Twitter - @YGNetwork
