Support for health reform reaches high in Kaiser poll

Americans view Democrats’ signature health reform bill more positively now than at any point since it was signed into law, a new poll found Thursday. 

50 percent of the public say they view the new healthcare law favorably, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll that has been tracking public opinion about the legislation since it became law. 

35 percent of adults said they view the law unfavorably, while 14 percent had no opinion. 

The July numbers mark the strongest support for reform since it reached a low in May, when the Kaiser poll found the public opposed the law 44-41 percent. 

The positive numbers play heavily into this fall’s impending midterm elections, in which Republicans and Democrats will jockey over the reforms in the healthcare bill. Most Republicans have said they want to repeal the legislation and replace it with different reforms, while Democrats have opted to highlight the benefits in the bill that would be threatened by a GOP-led repeal. 

27 percent of the public overall said the law should be repealed, while seven percent said that while they dislike the law, it should be given a chance to work. 

Also important for the elections is the support for the law among self-identified independent voters. 48 percent of independents view healthcare reform favorably, compared to 37 percent who view it unfavorably. 15 percent had no opinion.

The Kaiser poll, conducted July 8-13, has a three percent margin of error.