A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

KY Health Issues Poll: Favorable opinion of ACA, cigarette tax favored, insurance access for all


The most recent Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) found that more Kentucky adults have a favorable opinion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (44%) than a negative opinion (33%). 

The percent of adults with a favorable opinion has been increasing since the poll first started tracking the ACA in 2010, when it became law. In 2010, 26% had a favorable opinion of the ACA.


 
              
Conversely, the percentage of Kentucky adults with an unfavorable opinion of the ACA declined significantly between 2016 (46%) and 2017 (33%).  In 2017, in Northern Kentucky, 38% reported a favorable opinion of the ACA, while 41% reported an unfavorable opinion. 
 
Cigarette Tax Clear Leader in Funding Possible Medicaid Shortfall

Nearly half of Kentucky adults (46%) support increasing the tax on cigarettes as an option to help the Commonwealth of Kentucky fund a possible Medicaid shortfall and afford health coverage for everyone who is eligible for the Kentucky Medicaid Program.
  
Two other options tied as the next most frequent choice – but trailed cigarette taxes by a wide margin.  Only 13% of Kentucky adults would recommend lawmakers cut other state-funded programs, and 13% thought Kentucky should reduce the number of adults who receive health coverage through Medicaid.

Northern Kentucky Support Even Higher

In Northern Kentucky, support for a cigarette tax to cover a potential financial shortfall in Medicaid was higher than the statewide average.  More than half (54%) support increasing the tax on cigarettes as an option, 15% would prefer that lawmakers cut other state-funded programs, and only 9% think Kentucky lawmakers should reduce the number of adults who receive health coverage through Medicaid.

In 2014, Kentucky expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, the number of uninsured Kentuckians dropped considerably. In 2016, Governor Matt Bevin proposed an 1115 Medicaid Waiver that permits the state to require an adult be employed, in school, a caregiver or disabled to be eligible for coverage.  Approved earlier this year, it is possible that the waiver will affect the number of people enrolled in Medicaid in the future. According to Kentucky Voices for Health, these new requirements may cause up to 100,000 Kentuckians to lose coverage.

Most Kentuckians Favor Providing Access to Affordable Health Care for All

In 2017, KHIP asked, “Do you favor or oppose providing access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans?” 87% of Kentucky adults favored providing access to affordable health care for all Americans, which is more than in 2013 (81%), the last time KHIP asked this question. Only 10% opposed providing access to affordable health care for all Americans. Majorities of Kentucky adults in all political parties were in favor.

“Most people support providing access to affordable health care for all Americans,” says O’dell Moreno Owens, M.D., M.P.H., President and CEO of Interact for Health. “As lawmakers discuss funding for and methods of providing health insurance, we need to support access to care for all in our community.”


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