Americans Oppose Health Reform -- But Don't Know What It Says

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released today finds Americans pretty nearly split on the health reform law, although the majority of them want it either expanded or maintained rather than replaced or repealed. These strong views are held despite the fact that most Americans don't know what the law entails.

HuffPo offers the following analysis in a longer piece you can read here:

For example, despite the best efforts of the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress, many Americans say they are unfamiliar with some of the key provisions of the law affecting Medicare. That lack of familiarity (or confidence) is even higher with seniors. Specifically:

• Only 45 percent of adults and 42 percent of seniors say that the health reform law will "gradually close the Medicare 'doughnut hole.' "
• Only 36 percent of adults and 21 percent of seniors say the law will "eliminate co-pays and deductibles for many preventative services under Medicare."
• Only 47 percent of adults and 37 percent of seniors know the law creates "an expert panel to recommend ways to reduce Medicare spending if costs grow too rapidly."

Meanwhile, large numbers of Americans continue to believe the health care law affects Medicare in ways it does not. For example:

• 31 percent of adults and 22 percent of seniors say the law "allow[s] a government panel to make decisions about end-of-life care for people on Medicare" -- another 20 percent of adults and 31 percent of seniors are unsure.
• 48 percent of adults and 35 percent of seniors say the law will "cut benefits that were previously provided to all people on Medicare."

Really. People still believe in death panels. Unreal. I mean, really, if you're going to take a position for or against something, shouldn't you know what it says and does? I know I'm preaching to the choir -- my readers have the facts! Jennifer