The Affordable Care Act (ACA) will undoubtedly have a significant impact on all Americans, but a recent Gallup poll showed that many are unsure how it will affect various segments of the population including the uninsured, those with private insurance, hospitals, doctors, taxpayers and businesses.
The poll reflected a fairly even split about whether the healthcare bill would have a positive or negative impact on themselves, but when it comes to the affect on other groups, opinions are all over the map.
In general, more than half of the poll respondents said ACA will make things better for people who don’t have insurance (59%) and people who get sick (55%). Fifty-one percent said doctors would be adversely affected, but hospitals had even 45% for pro and con views. The poll indicated a gloomy forecast for those who have insurance, with 46% of respondents saying things will get worse after ACA goes into effect. More than half of those who were polled said that ACA will create more problems for businesses (57%) and taxpayers (60%).
When it comes to party lines, poll responses were fairly typical, with Democrats saying ACA would benefit people across the board, whereas Republicans were most concerned about how it would affect businesses, taxpayers, doctors and those who have insurance.
Gallup surmised, “Americans agree with the argument that the ACA will benefit those who don’t have health insurance and those who get sick — presumably because of Americans’ recognition that millions of additional people will acquire health insurance when the ACA is fully implemented. On the other hand, the average American agrees with the argument that the ACA is going to cost money, and that taxpayers, businesses, and those who currently have insurance will end up being worse off — at least financially — as a result of the law.”
Follow Elise Rambaud Marrion on Twitter @emarrion_cmn.
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