Foundation report explores MO attitudes toward health reform

A telephone poll of 800 likely general election voters in Missouri has found that attitudes toward health reform are more positive when the specifics of the law are understood.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed by President Obama in March.

According to the survey by Missouri Foundation for Health, 54 percent of respondents said they did not support health reform law, but the opposition dropped to 49 percent once they heard the specifics. Among the most popular elements of reform, as indicated by respondents, were provisions for people to keep their current insurance, with 68 percent strongly in favor; health insurance tax credits for small businesses (62 percent); and the requirement of coverage for pre-existing conditions (56 percent).

“MFH is dedicated to providing fact-based education regarding health reform and how it may impact Missouri individuals, families, businesses and providers,” said M. Ryan Barker, MFH director of health policy, in a news release. “These survey results assist us in understanding the concerns of Missourians and tailoring our educational efforts to address them.”

Other key findings of the report:

• With regard to reform, 48 percent of respondents are more concerned about changing the current system too much, while 29 percent are more concerned about leaving it as it is.

• Nearly 60 percent view health insurance affordability has an issue of great concern.

Source: MFH

MFH was established in 2000 and is a nongovernmental entity providing funding for community health activities statewide. Now in its eighth year of grantmaking, the foundation has issued more than $390 million in grants and awards to date.[[In-content Ad]]