Public Split on Health Care Law Ruling

Supreme Court settles little in the court of public opinion

What next, now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Healthcare Act? Though it's still anyone's guess how the ruling will reshape the delivery of health care in the U.S., one thing's sure: Our politically divided country is also divided over the ruling and what to do about it.

A new USA TODAY/Gallup poll finds that Americans are pretty much "split down the middle" on their approval and disapproval of the ruling, reports USA Today. A slim majority wants part or all of the law repealed.

Who supports the ruling? The poll shows that those in favor tend to be:

Democrats (nearly four in five agree)
Women
Minorities
Singles
Young adults

Who disagrees? The poll shows that those leaning against it tend to be:

Republicans (more than four in five disagree)
Men
Whites
Married people
Those over 30

Independents are split — 50 percent of those polled favor at least partial repeal; 40 percent who want to keep the law intact or expand on it.

When asked what action Congress should take now that the court has ruled, those surveyed said:

The entire law should be repealed: 31 percent
Congress should expand health care even more: 25 percent
Parts of the law should be repealed: 21 percent
No further action should be taken: 13 percent

Four in five Americans say they'll consider candidates' views on the issue this November; however just 21 percent say they will vote only for the candidates who share their opinions.

The health care law, passed in March 2010, is designed to expand health coverage by requiring that most people get insurance or pay a penalty. The court ruled that the law was constitutional because the penalty takes the form of a tax on those without health insurance. It did not uphold the law on the broader grounds that requiring people to get health insurance constitutes a form of interstate commerce, regulated by Congress.

Onto the election!

by Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

Last updated: June 29, 2012

http://www.caring.com/blogs/fyi-daily/public-split-on-health-care-law-ruling