Nearly a third of Americans not too familiar with health care law

2014

From a recent Gallup survey. Amazing uh? And I’m willing to bet many of those who think they are very familiar with the law; aren’t.

Americans’ Familiarity With Healthcare Law Unchanged

February 6, 2014

Nearly a third of the country not too or not at all familiar with the law

by Andrew Dugan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans’ familiarity with the Affordable Care Act has remained static since last August, even after new provisions of the law have taken effect and the Obama administration has tried to promote understanding of it. A majority of Americans (68%) are very or somewhat familiar with the law, while a third of the country is not too or not at all familiar with it. Gallup found nearly identical familiarity numbers last August.

These results come from a Jan. 31-Feb. Gallup poll. While a majority of Americans may disapprove of the still-unfolding healthcare law, commonly known as “Obamacare,” nearly one in three are not too or not at all familiar with the measure.

Republicans More Familiar Than Democrats With the Law

Despite their general opposition to the law, Republicans are significantly more likely to say they are familiar with it than are independents or Democrats. The percentage of Republicans who have some degree of familiarity with the legislation (78%) is markedly above the 64% of Democrats who say they have a similar level of knowledge.