Most Americans Say Individual Mandate is Unconstitutional

Americans remain split on how healthcare reform is going, a new poll reveals most are sure of one thing-the law’s requirement for all Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a fine is unconstitutional.


A USA today/Gallup poll released Monday finds 72 percent of American adults say the individual mandate is unconstitutional-with 94 percent of Republicans saying so and 56 percent of Democrats agreeing.  And, 53 percent of voters polled in the battleground states—Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin—say they would favor repealing the law if a Republican is elected President in November. Nationwide, 40 percent said they would favor repeal.

Not surprisingly, Republicans are stronger in their opposition toward healthcare reform, overwhelmingly favoring repeal (87 percent) while Democrats oppose it (77 percent).

Still, most say the health reform law hasn’t yet personally affected them, with about equal proportions saying it has helped (12 percent)or hurt (16 percent) them.

But Americans are less optimistic the law will improve their family’s healthcare situation in the long run, with 38 percent expecting the law will make their situation worse.

 
Wayne Perkins
Employee Benefits Specialist