Via Huffington Post/Pollster.com, the Kaiser Family Foundation's monthly health care poll finds support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) among young adults. This quote from the Kaiser report captures the essence of the findings:
Even among younger adults – a group that many have speculated may be
resistant to getting coverage under the ACA – more than seven in ten
rate having health insurance as “very important,” and similar shares
feel it is something they need and that it is worth the money. Overall,
just a quarter of those ages 18-30 feel they are healthy enough to go
without insurance.
The young were not the only ones surveyed in this poll, however. Uninsured individuals, and individuals who personally had a pre-existing condition or a household member with one, ranging from 18-64 years old, were also interviewed (at 65, Medicare becomes available). Perhaps unsurprisingly, those currently uninsured have favorable views about health insurance. Households having a member with a pre-existing condition apparently are widespread: "The June survey finds that roughly half (49 percent) of adults under age
65 say they or someone in their household has a pre-existing condition..."
Kaiser also reported on its usual monthly measures among a full, nationally representative sample. On general feelings toward health care reform, more Americans report unfavorable (43%) than favorable (35%) views, as has usually been the case. Interestingly, even though the ACA has been law for more than three years -- and received heightened public attention during 2012 due to the Supreme Court challenge of the law and the presidential election -- the percent saying "don't know" (or refusing to answer) on the favorability/unfavorability item has been higher during 2013 than at any time during 2010-2012.
The survey also included an experimental component, comparing responses to the policy when interviewers referred to it either as the "Health Reform Law" or "Obamacare."
Finally, a combined 22% of Americans claim to have heard "some" or "a lot" about the upcoming health care exchanges in their states.
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