Gallup's new poll has some very encouraging data on Obamacare. We are now in "seeing obamacare reality for ourselves" phase now. As more people benefit from Obamacare - or at worse - remain unaffected - the negatives of the law should drop. We now have strong evidence that this is happening. Lets go below the turmeric root for details.
Obamacare was designed to leave most of the people well alone. Folks who get their insurance from their work - will continue to get care - and even get better care. So the doom and gloom around Obamacare was pure hogwash and continue to be so. As people get actual experience of the law, and as they figure out that the law is in place and their world has not collapsed, and even gotten a little better, the negative views of the law is declining.
Gallup's Chart
A plurality of Americans (42%) now say that Obamacare will not have any effect on them. A new low of 32% of Americans say that Obamacare will make their healthcare situation worse. Finally, 24% of American say that Obamacare will make their healthcare situation better. The image deficit (Better - Worse) has improved from -21% (Better: 20%, Worse: 41%) to now just -8%. At this rate we will soon have more people feeling good about Obamacare than feeling bad. Imagine that - that will essentially mean that on average, Obamacare will be a tailwind for Dems - not a headwind.
Who Is Driving the Change
Here is the most important part - who is driving this change of hearts. It is not the Democrats - it is the Republicans. In a space of one month, the % of Republicans who believe that Obamacare will make their healthcare situation worse has gone down from 72% to 51%. In the same period, Democrats who believe that Obamacare will make their healthcare situation better has gone up from 39% to 47%. The enthusiasm gap (% Republicans who dislike - % Dems who like) between Democrats and Republicans regarding Obamacare has shrunk from -43% to -4%. Read than again - a 39 point change in one month.
Elections (and hence Politics) is won around the margins. The margins are clearly shifting towards Obamacare. The data speaks clearly and plainly. Now we need to shout it from the rooftops for everyone to hear.
Update: More Supporting Data from Pew
On balance, more also say the law has had a negative than positive impact on the country (43% vs. 30%). But negative views of the law’s impact on the country have declined (from 49%) – and positive views have risen (from 23%) – since December.
So - from Dec to Apr, Obamacare has gone from a net -26% to -13%. The direction is consistent with Gallup data.
9:55 PM PT: Update: I see that I am on RecList - and for my very first diary too! Thanks everyone.