WASHINGTON (AP) -- Public support for President Barack Obama's health care law is languishing at its lowest level since passage of the landmark legislation four years ago, according to a new poll. <\/p>\n
The Associated Press-GfK survey finds that 26 percent of Americans support the Affordable Care Act. Yet even fewer -- 13 percent -- think it will be completely repealed. A narrow majority expects the law to be further implemented with minor changes, or as passed. <\/p>\n
\"To get something repealed that has been passed is pretty impossible,\" said Gwen Sliger of Dallas. \"At this point, I don't see that happening.\" <\/p>\n
Sliger illustrates the prevailing national mood. Although a Democrat, she's strongly opposed to Obama's signature legislation. But she thinks \"Obamacare\" is here to stay. <\/p>\n
\"I like the idea that if you have a pre-existing condition you can't be turned down, but I don't like the idea that if you don't have health insurance you'll be fined,\" said Sliger. <\/p>\n
The poll was taken before Thursday's announcement by the White House that new health insurance markets have surpassed the goal of 6 million sign-ups, so it did not register any of the potential impact of that news on public opinion. Open enrollment season began with a dysfunctional HealthCare.gov website last Oct. 1 but will end Monday on what looks to be a more positive note. <\/p>\n
Impressions of the health care rollout while low, have improved slightly. <\/p>\n
While only 5 percent of Americans say the launch of the insurance exchanges has gone very or extremely well, the number who think it has gone at least somewhat well has improved from 12 percent in December to 26 percent now. The exchanges offer subsidized private coverage to people without a plan on the job. <\/p>\n
Of those who said they or someone in their household tried signing up for coverage, 59 percent said there were problems. <\/p>\n
Repealing the health care law is the rallying cry of Republicans running to capture control of the Senate in the fall congressional elections. The Republican-led House has already voted more than 50 times to repeal, defund or scale back \"Obamacare,\" but has been stymied in its crusade by Democrats running the Senate. <\/p>\n
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Obama health care law: Support drops to lowest level, 26 percent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WASHINGTON (AP) -- Public support for President Barack Obama's health care law is languishing at its lowest level since passage of the landmark legislation four years ago, according to a new poll. The Associated Press-GfK survey finds that 26 percent of Americans support the Affordable Care Act. Continue reading