Eighty-nine percent of the uninsured are not aware that the next ACA open enrollment begins in November. In addition, two-thirds of the uninsured know little or nothing at all about the exchanges, and 53% are not aware that there is the financial assistance to help low- and moderate-income people purchase insurance, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Fifty-nine percent expect to get coverage in the next few months including 15% who expect to get coverage from an employer, 15% who expect to purchase it (from a private insurance company or through an exchange), and 8% who expect to get it through Medicaid. Twenty-one percent expect to get coverage, but are not sure where. Most of those who expect to remain uninsured think they won’t be able to find an affordable plan (18%) or they don’t want to be forced to buy anything (12%, including 3% who say they would rather pay the fine than pay for coverage).
This month’s tracking poll finds more people view the ACA unfavorably (43%) than favorably (36%). Fifty-six percent Most Americans say the health care law has had no direct effect on their families. For those who report an effect, 26% say the law has hurt them while 16% say it has helped them. The ACA does not stand out as a top issue for the mid-term elections among registered voters. The ACA ranks fourth as voters’ most important issue. For more information, visit www.kff.org.
