Poll: Most back fix if Court strikes subsidies

A majority of the public wants Congress to pass a fix allowing people to keep financial assistance to buy insurance if the Supreme Court strikes down ObamaCare subsidies, according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. 

{mosads}The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on Wednesday in the case of King v. Burwell, which could strike down subsidies for around 7.5 million people in the roughly three dozen states using a federally run marketplace under ObamaCare. 

But even if the Court does do so, 54 percent want Congress to pass legislation to allow people in all states to keep financial help, while 35 percent oppose such a move.

There is, not surprisingly, a partisan split on the issue, as only about 1 in 4 Republicans back the congressional fix, while 81 percent of Democrats do.

Congressional Republicans have been looking to show the Court that they have a plan ready if it strikes down the subsidies and have been putting forward a range of proposals. One option, from Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), would give people financial assistance to temporarily keep their insurance plans while a more state-based solution is worked out.

The Obama administration maintains that it has no fix for the law if the Supreme Court strikes down the subsidies and is keeping up pressure for a ruling in its favor.

While a majority backs a subsidy fix, a majority also has a negative view of ObamaCare as a whole. Fifty-one percent say the law should have a major overhaul or should be totally eliminated, while 47 percent say it is working well or needs just small changes.