Three Years In, Americans Still Unclear About Health Law

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s (KFF’s) March tracking poll reveals 57 percent of Americans still don’t know how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will affect them. When asked what affect the health law has had on them so far, 62 percent of respondents said they have not been personally impacted, while 22 percent said they have been negatively affected, and 17 percent say they have personally benefited.

The most popular parts of the law are tax benefits for small businesses to buy insurance and closing the Medicare “doughnut hole,” though these remain some of the least well-known aspects. Conversely, the least popular element – the individual mandate to purchase health insurance or else pay a penalty – is the most recognized component of the PPACA.

On the subjects of health insurance exchanges and Medicaid expansion, 77 percent reported they have heard little to nothing on their state’s plans to operate a health insurance exchange, and 78 percent reported they have not heard enough to know whether their governor plans to expand or not expand Medicaid. Governor Perry has stated Texas will not expand Medicaid.

Overall outlook on the PPACA remains divided along partisan lines. Read the complete poll.