Many people are opposed to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, due to concerns that it may increase their premium expenses or prevent them from being able to access their employee benefits, as some companies have dropped or altered their coverage options. However, according to a new survey, most consumers aren't so against the bill that they think the government should shut down as a result.
In a recent poll released by Quinnipiac University, nearly three-quarters – 72 percent – of those surveyed said that they were not in favor of closing the government in order to defund the ACA and prevent it from being implemented. Additionally, nearly two-thirds said that they were against using the raising of the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip for the health law.
"Americans are certainly not in love with Obamacare, but they reject decisively the claim by Congressional Republicans that it is so bad that it's worth closing down the government to stop it," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the polling institute at Quinnipiac University.
He added that while most voters blame both political parties – Republican and Democrat – for the gridlock in Washington, they believe the GOP is more culpable.
The survey was performed in the week prior to the insurance exchanges opening on Oct. 1, with 1,500 registered voters participating.
A few days into the sign-up period for the exchanges, some of the marketplaces have not resulted in any substantial problems. However, there have been others where website error messages and glitches have led to virtually no one applying for coverage. According to a recent exclusive report from the Daily Mail, less than 1 percent of exchange website visitors successfully registered for a health plan through Oct. 2.
