Many states are currently mulling whether to expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). (Our interactive map shows just how likely each state is to participate in the program.) Now, a new survey finds that 2 out of 3 Americans support that aspect of the law—at least in theory.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents to a poll released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation (pdf) said they're favorable toward the provision in the law to "expand the existing Medicaid program to cover more low‐income, uninsured adults." 30% opposed it. Among political independents, the level of support was identical to the overall figure: 67%.
But when participants were asked whether they support their own state expanding Medicaid, the number in favor declined to 49%.
The Supreme Court ruled last month that states could decide for themselves whether to participate in the ACA's expansion of Medicaid. Several states have said flatly that they'll opt out, potentially leaving millions of low-income Americans without insurance.