Original Title: Most Americans Don’t Support Immediate Repeal Of Affordable Care Act – By Kate Ashford for Forbes
Only 16% of Americans feel the Affordable Care Act should be repealed immediately, according to a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Another 31% think it should be repealed, but only after a replacement is ready. Forty percent believe it should be preserved with improvements, and 12% want it kept in its current form.
“It is clear that very few Americans want to keep the law as it currently is,” said Trevor Tompson, director of The AP-NORC Center, in a press release. “However, there are many elements of the law that appear to be popular, and there is support for retaining those provisions in any replacement legislation that might be passed.”
With Tuesday being the last day of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, and with government having begun the process of repealing it, the ACA is on many people’s minds. And it’s a mixed bag—with some people feeling that the ACA has been a lifesaver and others feeling like it’s burdensome and expensive.
Although the Affordable Care Act is still in effect, the Trump administration pulled back about $5 million in advertising last week that promoted HealthCare.gov in a cost-cutting effort. Former HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan called the decision “outrageous” and suggested that the move could dampen sign-ups by healthy young adults who help keep premiums lower for everyone.
Given the uncertainty of what’s happening with the ACA, experts are recommending that people who need coverage go ahead and sign up for 2017—ensuring that they’ll be covered in the event of a health emergency and avoiding a fine for not having insurance. You can do so at healthcare.gov.
