Elon University Poll recently released its latest polling data on major North Carolina issues, including healthcare. Elon’s poll found 41 percent oppose the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, while 39 percent support it.
In the same poll, Elon concluded that less than 25 percent said they would like the entire law repealed, while 18 percent want portions of it thrown out and 14 percent said they like the law as is. That doesn’t appear to be a lot of support for an extremely overbearing and intrusive government-run healthcare program, but these numbers don’t demonstrate overwhelmingly opposition to the idea either. What does the remaining 43 percent think – quite a substantial percentage to not mention their thoughts?
Civitas’ January 2011 poll showed that 50 percent of voters have an unfavorable opinion of the new health care law given while 41 percent had a generally favorable opinion; 6 percent said they have no opinion.
However, while Elon’s poll found only 41 percent opposing Obamacare, 44 percent support the General Assembly’s attempt to pass a law to protect patients’ rights and challenge Obamacare. Only 33 percent oppose the challenge, even though 39 percent apparently favor Obamacare.
In the Civitas poll, 63 percent of voters agreed with the General Assembly’s challenge. Only 25 percent said a law should not be passed, and 11 percent said they didn’t know.
Furthermore, a strong 76 percent of those surveyed in the Elon poll oppose the “individual mandate,” which would require people to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Without this provision in the bill, Obamacare loses much of its steam.
No doubt the Elon poll demonstrates that people are unsatisfied with the current health system but also reveals that a lot of confusion about what a world under Obamacare would look like remains and what its consequences would be for Americans.
No matter who conducts the polling, however, the majority of North Carolinians, through their support for the constitutional challenge and their opposition to an individual mandate, remain opposed to further government intrusion into their private lives.
Leave a Comment