With a new administration in Washington, the future of “Obamacare” is uncertain. So we wanted to know: What do patients think about potential changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? More than 2,000 PatientsLikeMe members recently shared their thoughts in the largest patient poll on the 2010 health care law.
Previous large-scale polls about the ACA focused on the general population, rather than specifically asking people with health conditions to weigh in. But in this poll, we heard directly from 2,197 members living with a variety of conditions, including MS, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, depression, ALS, diabetes and cancer.
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What should be scrapped?
When asked which one component of the ACA they would eliminate, if they were forced to choose, patients were four times more likely to say they would eliminate the individual mandate vs. other components of the ACA.
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How helpful is the ACA?
More than 37 percent of patients said the ACA has been “very helpful” for people with chronic conditions, while nearly 20 percent said “somewhat helpful.” Also, nearly half of patients (46%) said the ACA needs only minor modifications.
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Strong opinions stand out
People living with major depressive disorder (MDD) as their primary condition were more likely to oppose a repeal of the ACA. The MDD community may have a stronger stance on recent health care policy because of a 2013 rule requiring insurers to cover mental health and addiction issues equally to physical health ailments.
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Money talks
Lowering costs is a priority for both patients and the general population. Lowering the amount individuals pay for health care is an important priority for 94% of patients and 93% of the general population. And lowering the cost of prescription drugs is an important priority for 96% of patients and 89% of the general population.
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“I think the problems with this health care program affect those individuals who are caught in the cracks … who do not make enough but do not make so little that they are covered by government programs,” said member Randy, who took the poll. “But we had these problems before the Affordable Care Act. So we need to fix [it], not take [it] away completely.”
What do you think about the ACA? Do you have a different take? Jump into the forum and keep the comments coming. Your voice – the real-world patient voice – matters.
* See the full report on the PatientsLikeMe poll.
** General population results came from a 2016 Kaiser Health Tracking Poll.
Share this post on Twitter and help spread the word.
“Regardless of your political leaning, the great equalizer is that we’ll all become sick one day. At this time of uncertainty about the future of health care, listening to the voice of patients today will illuminate the path forward for all of us.”
‑ Sally Okun, PatientsLikeMe’s Vice President of Advocacy, Policy and Patient Safety
Overall, PatientsLikeMe members have similar feelings and concerns about the ACA as the general population. But patients – who have regular, real-world health care experiences – see some benefits that the general population might have overlooked. Take a look at these snapshots of some key findings from the poll (tap each graphic for a larger view). No go on repeal Those who took the PatientsLikeMe poll* were more likely to oppose a repeal of the ACA than the general population**. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Click image to enlarge[/caption]
What should be scrapped?
When asked which one component of the ACA they would eliminate, if they were forced to choose, patients were four times more likely to say they would eliminate the individual mandate vs. other components of the ACA.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Click image to enlarge[/caption]
How helpful is the ACA?
More than 37 percent of patients said the ACA has been “very helpful” for people with chronic conditions, while nearly 20 percent said “somewhat helpful.” Also, nearly half of patients (46%) said the ACA needs only minor modifications.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Click image to enlarge[/caption]
Strong opinions stand out
People living with major depressive disorder (MDD) as their primary condition were more likely to oppose a repeal of the ACA. The MDD community may have a stronger stance on recent health care policy because of a 2013 rule requiring insurers to cover mental health and addiction issues equally to physical health ailments.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Click image to enlarge[/caption]
Money talks
Lowering costs is a priority for both patients and the general population. Lowering the amount individuals pay for health care is an important priority for 94% of patients and 93% of the general population. And lowering the cost of prescription drugs is an important priority for 96% of patients and 89% of the general population.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Click image to enlarge[/caption]
“I think the problems with this health care program affect those individuals who are caught in the cracks … who do not make enough but do not make so little that they are covered by government programs,” said member Randy, who took the poll. “But we had these problems before the Affordable Care Act. So we need to fix [it], not take [it] away completely.”
What do you think about the ACA? Do you have a different take? Jump into the forum and keep the comments coming. Your voice – the real-world patient voice – matters.
* See the full report on the PatientsLikeMe poll.
** General population results came from a 2016 Kaiser Health Tracking Poll.
Share this post on Twitter and help spread the word.