Some
Democrats think that 8 million
Obamacare signups indicate popularity and success.
Byron York says:
In a series of polls on Obamacare, the Kaiser Family Foundation has asked two simple questions that are particularly revealing about the new law's reach: "So far, would you say you and your family have personally benefited from the health reform law, or not?" and "So far would you say you and your family have been negatively affected by the health reform law, or not?"
The percentage of respondents who say they have benefited from Obamacare has inched up, from 14 percent last October, when the exchanges went online, to 18 percent in April. But the percentage of those who say they or their family have been negatively affected has also increased, from 23 percent last October to 30 percent in April.
Of those who say they have benefited from Obamacare, half — that is, half of the 18 percent — say the primary benefit has been to make health care more accessible. About a quarter — again, a quarter of that 18 percent — say the Affordable Care Act has made health care more affordable.
Of the 30 percent who say they have been negatively affected, a big majority sa ys Obamacare has increased their health care costs and narrowed their health care choices.
A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 55 percent of those surveyed disapprove of Obamacare -- matching the highest disapproval rating in Obamacare's troubled history. "The recent surge in signups for the new health care exchanges has had little impact on public opinion about the Affordable Care Act," Pew concluded.
Mickey Kaus tweeted: "Can't assume the millions who've signed up for Ocare are happy with it. Millions have signed up for Time-Warner Cable."
