It doesn’t seem like that long ago that folks were screaming and tossing chairs at each other in protest of health care reform proposals. But consumers either have come a long way since or have short memories, as a recent Mercer survey reports that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is being viewed more positively.
This year, 31% of respondents now say they are better off because of PPACA, up from only 18% the prior year. Conversely, 33% of respondents believe that they are worse off, down from 43% in 2010.
“Across the board, we’re seeing employees warm up to the idea of health care reform, specifically when it comes to projecting how they will be personally affected,” says Suzanne Nolan, partner and director of marketing and communications for Mercer’s U.S. outsourcing business. “This emerging attitude shift reinforces the need to simplify the complex topic of health care reform and make it more understandable and meaningful for employees, especially as we anticipate the upcoming provisions of health care reform that will need to be implemented in 2014, which will most likely have a more significant impact on a broader number of employees.”
It’s interesting to note this survey doesn’t ask the same of employers. But does the fact that employees appear to be warming to PPACA take any steam out of employer opposition? Share your thoughts in the comments.
