As deadline for 2014 registration neared its closing, public approval of the Affordable Care Act hit a new high, according to an ABC News/Washington Post survey released on March 31.
A first-time plurality of 49 percent of Americans support Obamacare. While 48 percent still state opposition, the new poll marks the first time that more favored rather than opposed ACA.
The survey also shows significant improvement from Nov. 2013, when the program’s registration site was still undergoing technical difficulties and shortcomings, leading to disapproval of 57 percent.
Improved reception of Obamacare is found in all demographic categories, but the biggest improvement is found in the groups who?ve been most ardent against it. Since November, the number of self-identified conservatives expressing favor for ACA more than doubled, rising from 17 percent to 36 percent. Approval from Republicans grew six percent, while Democrats? favor rose only four percent.
The new favorability coincides with ACA’s achievement of original goals. NBC reports that the program’s website and phone registration line hit new highs on yesterday’s cutoff date, and total registration for the program hit its original goal of 7 million.
Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, credits the spike to recent ACA promotions geared toward younger Americans, telling Huffington Post that registration ?definitely saw the Galifianikis bump.?
On March 11 Pres. Obama appeared on Zach Galifiankis? ?Between Two Ferns? on the Funny or Die website in a comedic promotion of ACA.
Edited/Published by: SB
