ObamaCare not high on voters’ priorities, poll finds

ObamaCare is not of central importance to voters ahead of the coming election, according to a new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

{mosads}The poll finds that the 2010 healthcare law ranks eighth on voters’ list of issues important to them in the election. Twenty-three percent of registered voters said ObamaCare is extremely important to their vote, compared to 38 percent who said terrorism and 34 percent who said the economy. 

Coming in third, with 28 percent, is “the cost of your healthcare or health insurance.”

Kaiser polling last year found that prescription drug prices had surpassed ObamaCare on voters’ list of concerns, even among Republicans.

Drug prices have been taking center stage in the campaign. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have slammed drug companies for their prices. On Monday, Donald Trump likewise criticized drug companies and called for Medicare to have the ability to negotiate prices. 

The poll released Thursday found that voters gave the highest importance to the “cost of healthcare, health insurance and prescription drugs” among health issues. 

President Obama this month vetoed legislation to repeal much of ObamaCare after congressional Republicans sought to highlight the health law for voters. The poll finds that a minority, 39 percent, were aware of President Obama’s veto.

Views of ObamaCare as a whole remain largely unchanged, the poll finds, with 44 percent of the public holding an unfavorable view and 41 percent with a favorable view. 

The poll also highlights the difficulties in reaching the uninsured and trying to get them to sign up for ObamaCare ahead of the deadline of Jan. 31. 

Sixty-seven percent of uninsured people said they had not been contacted about signing up for coverage. More than 7 in 10 uninsured people said they had not taken steps to see if they are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance under the health law. 

Furthermore, just 15 percent of the uninsured knew when the enrollment deadline is and 61 percent did not know there is a fine for lacking insurance.