Public opinion on the health reform law remains divided, though seniors appear to be warming to some of its measures, according to the latest tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation. About 42% of all Americans have a "generally favorable view" of the law, while 41% a "generally unfavorable view," the Kaiser survey found.
Interestingly, seniors (defined as those ages 65 and up), who were initially more opposed to the law than younger people, are softening their stance. When surveyed one month after the law passed in March, 56% of seniors had an unfavorable view; the latest figure is 40%. At the same time, seniors who don't have an opinion increased from 16% to 26%, suggesting that opposition is giving away to confusion and uncertainty, according to Kaiser. Seniors who approve of the law have held steady at about 34%.
Further data suggests you'll continue having to deal with patients struggling to pay their medical bills:
- 25% of respondents say their household has had trouble paying medical bills over the past year
- 54% say they have delayed needed medical care due to the cost
- Among lower income and uninsured Americans, 36% and 48% respectively, report having trouble with medical costs
- 85% of those who are uninsured say they have delayed needed care because of cost
Kaiser also notes that "beyond health care, many people report having problems getting a good-paying job or a pay raise (41%); losing money in the stock market (35%); suffering cutbacks in pay or work hours (32%); having trouble paying their rent or mortgage (25%); losing a job (23%); and having problems paying for food (23%)."
Kaiser conducted its survey from Dec. 1 through Dec. 6 among a nationally representative random sample of 1,207 adults ages 18 and older.