Polls and Surveys about Health Policy from the Kaiser Family Foundation

April 2013 Tracking Poll

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

The April poll finds, six months before open enrollment begins, many Americans remain unaware of, or confused about, the Affordable Care Act. Four in ten Americans are unaware that the ACA is still the law of the land.

Navigator and In-Person Assistance Programs: A Snapshot of State Programs

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

This brief discusses some of the key policy decisions states are making as they set up their programs, and briefly describes these programs in a few key states.

March 2013 Tracking Poll

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

The March poll finds that two-thirds of the uninsured and a majority of Americans overall say they have too little information to know how the Affordable Care Act will affect them, and that Americans' awareness of key elements of the law has declined somewhat since passage when media attention was at its height.

February 2013 Tracking Poll

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

The February Kaiser Health Tracking Poll focuses on some of the health policy implications of this winter’s national debate over gun violence, gun control and the adequacy of the nation’s response to the needs of those living with serious mental illness.

Public Opinion Polling on Raising the Age of Medicare Eligibility: Historic Trends and Current Nuances

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

This Data Note analyzes historic trends in Kaiser polls on the proposal to raise the age of Medicare eligibility and gives a current snapshot of public opinion on the proposal, with a special focus on how views differ by age, and the partisan divide that pervades public opinion on healthcare. The analysis then investigates how different arguments sway views on raising the age of Medicare eligibility in order to better understand the nuances of public opinion.

The Public's Policy Agenda for the 113th Congress

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Harvard School of Public Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports on the public's policy priorities for the president and the new congress.  It was released at a Washington, DC briefing and discussion.

National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on HIV/AIDS

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

This national survey of 15-24 year olds about HIV/AIDS finds that nearly three times as many Black teens and young adults, and twice as many Latino youth, say HIV/AIDS is an issue that concerns them personally as compared to whites the same age.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: November 2012

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

The November poll finds that while health care ranked as a second-tier issue in this month's election, President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney tied among voters who felt strongly about the Affordable Care Act, and President Obama won an advantage among voters who said Medicare was important to their vote, and among women on women’s health issues.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: October 2012

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

The October Health Tracking Poll finds, one week before the presidential election, the economy remains the primary concern on voters' minds, but health policy issues remain in the mix.

Polling on Medicare Premium Support Systems Over Time

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

This data note reviews years of polling dating to 1995 to gauge public opinion on proposals to change Medicare to a premium support system, an idea embraced by GOP presidential nominee Governor Mitt Romney and rejected by President Obama.

Seniors and the 2012 Presidential Election

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

This data note draws primarily on two national surveys to examine how health issues are playing as a 2012 election issue for seniors, how this politically important group feels about a variety of policy proposals related to Medicare, including the premium support model, and seniors' views of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Whom Does the Public Trust More on Health Care and Medicare?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

This data note reviews takes a historical look at the public's views of whom they trust more, Democrats or Republicans, when it comes to health care policy and Medicare policy and analyzes these views in the context of the current presidential election, in which both issues are playing a prominent role.

The Swing States and Medicare

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

The latest partnership poll from The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation explores attitudes towards Medicare among registered voters in three swing states -- Florida, Virginia, and Ohio.  While the economy remains the top issue, in each state about four in ten voters say Medicare is an extremely important issue to their vote. As of mid-September, within these swing states, President Barack Obama holds the advantage over Governor Mitt Romney on who voters trust to handle Medicare, although among seniors the gap narrows considerably, and most voters say they would prefer to keep Medicare as it is rather than change it into a premium support system.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: September 2012

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

The September poll finds with the November election fast-approaching, Medicare trails only the economy and the federal budget deficit as key priorities for voters, and interest in the federal health program is even higher among seniors.

Dimensions of Partisanship Survey

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

With the 2012 presidential elections approaching, The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation latest partnership survey gauged the American public's attitudes toward the political system and toward major political issues.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: August 2012

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

This poll conducted as the GOP prepares for its national convention finds that the Affordable Care Act is not the top health care priority among Republicans. While jobs are still the number one issue for Republicans, when asked about the health care issues that will impact their vote this fall, Republicans' top concern was the cost of health care and insurance, followed by Medicare.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: July 2012

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

The July Kaiser Health Tracking Poll reports in further depth on public opinion toward the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the wake of June’s key Supreme Court decision. 

Pulling it Together: As The International AIDS Conference Convenes, Some Positive News About Public Opinion and HIV

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

As the International AIDS Conference convenes in Washington, DC, in his latest Pulling It Together column, Foundation President Drew Altman highlights positive news about public opinion and HIV from the Foundation’s new survey of the American people conducted with the Washington Post running this week in the paper. It’s the 24th in the special partnership polling series between the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Washington Post.

2012 Survey Of Americans On HIV/AIDS

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

Leading up to the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a joint survey of the American public's attitudes, awareness, and experiences related to HIV and AIDS.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Early Reaction to Supreme Court Decision on the ACA

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

This poll reports on the public's early reaction to the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act on June 28. 

Survey of Health Insurance Agents: Assessing Trends in the Individual and Small Group Insurance Markets

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

This nationally representative survey of 500 health insurance agents and brokers working in the individual and small group markets explores their outlook on market trends and views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Health Security Watch - June 2012 Tracking Poll

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

While economic challenges facing the country continue and the Supreme Court is deciding the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the May Health Tracking Poll finds that the problems and concerns related to health care costs and access are wide‐spread.

The Part D Experience: What are the Lessons for Broader Medicare Reform?

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

This June 6, 2012 workshop examined the lessons from Part D, focusing on the roles of competition and changes in the marketplace in controlling costs for beneficiaries and taxpayers, how the benefit’s design affected beneficiaries, including those eligible for low-income subsidies, and what the experience suggests for future reforms.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- May 2012

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

The May Health Tracking Poll focuses on the public's perceptions and reactions to women's reproductive health reemerging as a heated issue in policy debates and news and its potential impact on the upcoming presidential election.

Pulling it Together: What We Know about Making the Case to the Public for Global Health

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman draws on Kaiser's latest survey of public attitudes to uncover important nuances about the argument for foreign aid and global health.

2012 Survey of Americans on the U.S. Role in Global Health

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

This new survey explores the American public's views and knowledge of U.S. efforts to improve health for people in developing countries.

KAISER POLL FINDS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR SPENDING ON GLOBAL HEALTH

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

KAISER POLL FINDS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR SPENDING ON GLOBAL HEALTH

Black Women in America

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation partnered to conduct a survey examining the opinions of black women around the nation on a wide range of issues including health care.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- April 2012

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

The April Health Tracking Poll gauged Americans' opinions of the Affordable Care Act in the wake of the Supreme Court oral arguments in the legal challenges to the health reform law in March.

The Role of High-Income Seniors in Medicare Reforms: The Public's Perspective

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

Based on data from the February 2012 Health Tracking Poll, this data note examines at what income level the public sees seniors as 'wealthy,' and finds that the answer has a lot to do with how the question is asked.

KaiserEDU.org Tutorial: Overview of the Uninsured

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This tutorial provides a look at the uninsured and why they lack coverage, and addresses trends in coverage, the correlation to economic and employment conditions, and the impact of coverage on access to care. How the Affordable Care Act is expected to reduce the number of uninsured is also addressed.

Data Note: A Snapshot of Public Opinion on the Individual Mandate

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This Data Note looks at what the general public thinks of the individual mandate, explores the reasons why favorability ratings have been so low, and suggests that while opinion on the mandate has been fairly consistent over time, it also remains malleable, and basic factual information and messages can sway Americans' opinion.

Data Note: Americans' Views on the Personal Impact of the ACA and the Supreme Court's Decision

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This Data Note draws from the March 2012 Kaiser Health Tracking Poll and examines people's impressions of how the law and the Court case will affect them, focusing primarily on those groups that are in the position to receive the greatest benefits.

Pulling it Together: The ACA and Fluoridation: The Power of Political Symbols

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman looks at looks at why public opinion on the ACA has been so resistant to change and compares the debate about the health law to the debate about fluoridation in an earlier era.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- March 2012

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

As the oral arguments on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) begin in two weeks before the Supreme Court, the March Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds that Americans' views on the case mirror their views on the health reform law and that they expect parts of the ACA to continue whatever the Court rules.

Health Tracking Poll: Exploring the Public's Views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

The public has remained deeply divided on the health reform law since it was passed in March 2010. Use this interactive infographic to examine how specific groups feel about the law and how those opinions have changed or not changed over time.

Policy and Political Implications of the Supreme Court Case on the Affordable Care Act

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

The March 2012 briefing featured experts analyzing the policy and political implications of the pending U.S. Supreme Court case on the Affordable Care Act.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- February 2012

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

The February health tracking poll finds most Americans oppose Medicare premium support proposal even with a newly offered traditional Medicare option, though arguments in favor can lessen opposition. The poll also finds that among women, Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to support a Federal requirement that health insurance plans cover contraceptives.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- January 2012

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

The January Health Tracking Poll probes the public's views and expectations about the Supreme Court case on the health reform law and the public's knowledge and opinions of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's health care positions.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- December 2011

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The December Tracking Poll finds the recent dip in support of the health reform law has been fully reversed, and the concept of health exchanges has wide, bipartisan support.

Bono, Jon Stewart and the HIV/AIDS Message

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser President Drew Altman spotlights a conversation between Bono and Jon Stewart on HIV/AIDS and discusses what the message about HIV/AIDS should be in light of new research on the benefits of early treatment.

Long-Term Unemployed Survey

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

This NPR/Kaiser Family Foundation partnership survey better describes the experiences and views of two groups of individuals: the long-term unemployed (those who have been out of work for a year or more and would prefer to be working) and the long-term underemployed (those who are working part-time and have been without full-time work for over one year, but are interested in full-time employment). 

Pulling it Together: The Most Popular Provision in the ACA?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman discusses the importance of a surprise finding in this month’s tracking poll – the most popular provision in the ACA is a requirement that health plans provide consumers with a short, easy to understand summary of their health insurance benefits and coverage.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- November 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

The November Health Tracking Poll takes a closer look at public opinion and knowledge about specific provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and finds that individual elements of the law are viewed favorably by a majority of the public.  Overall, Americans remain somewhat more likely to have an unfavorable view of the law (44%) than a favorable one (37%).

KaiserEDU.org Tutorial: Reproductive Health Care Policy for Women in the United States

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This kaiserEDU.org tutorial summarizes major issues in reproductive health care policy.

Data Note: A Closer Look at Perceptions of HIV in Hard Hit Areas

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

In June 2011, the Kaiser Family Foundation released its eighth major survey of Americans on HIV/AIDS to examine national public opinion toward HIV/AIDS. This Data Note is a closer examination of the results on HIV‐related attitudes and perceptions among the group of adults living in metropolitan areas hard hit by HIV/AIDS, and how their views compare with those of people living in other areas of the country.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- October 2011

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

The October health tracking poll finds a more negative overall public mood about the health reform law, driven largely by changes in support for the law among Democrats.  The poll also asked the public’s impressions of the Massachusetts health reform law enacted under then- Gov. Mitt Romney, who is now a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.

Data Note: Black Residents' Views on HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

This data note examines public opinion among Washington, D.C.’s black residents about HIV/AIDS through a new analysis of the findings of the May 2011 Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation 2011 Survey of District of Columbia Residents.

Pulling It Together: Rising Health Costs Are Not Just a Federal Budget Problem

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman looks at the findings from the Foundation’s annual employer health benefits survey from the perspective of employers and families facing rising premiums in a weak economy.

Pulling It Together: Uninsured But Not Yet Informed

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser President Drew Altman explores the surprise in Kaiser's latest tracking poll – what the uninsured know and don’t know about how the Affordable Care Act will affect them.