Consumer awareness of and interest in healthcare reform has reached new high with the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Yet, despite the higher awareness level (92%), only 11% have a high level of understanding of most elements of the reform Act, according to research by TNS. Consumers appear to gain their perceptions of PPACA from generalities conveyed from key political leaders and media coverage. The lack of understanding of PPACA results in sharply divided opinions on how the law will affect healthcare and insurance issues, according to William Bruno, vice president of TNS.
Americans generally agree on the goals for health reform to increase access to appropriate and effective patient care and to lower costs. However, views on how we get to there are sharply divided according to political party affiliation. Half of Republicans and just over two thirds of Democrats say reform will address the ability to get coverage with pre-existing conditions. Fifteen percent of Republicans and nearly 50% Democrats say the reform Act will mitigate rising costs. For more information, visitwww.tnsglobal.com.
