Economy outweighed healthcare at polls: Kaiser

Healthcare was a consideration for voters in last week's midterm elections, but the issue was not the leading factor that influenced their vote, according to a poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The poll showed that 29% of voters said the economy and jobs influenced their decision; 25% cited political party preference; 21% said it was the view of candidates themselves; and healthcare was the fourth leading factor at 17%. Of those who said healthcare was a top voting factor, 56% said they have a “very unfavorable” view of the health reform law. Meanwhile, of those healthcare voters, 45% said they want the entire law repealed; 26% said they want parts of the law repealed; 15% said they want to see the law expanded; and 11% want to leave the law as it is.

Conducted between Nov. 3 and Nov. 6, the survey studied a nationally representative sample of 1,502 adults ages 18 and older, including 1,017 adults who said they voted in the midterm elections. The poll allowed voters to answer closed-ended and open-ended questions.

“Several key provisions of health reform remain popular, even among those who support repeal of all or parts of the law,” the Kaiser Family Foundation said in a news release about the results. “Majorities of supporters of repeal would like to keep tax credits for small businesses offering coverage; the prohibition of insurance companies denying coverage based on medical history or health condition; the gradual closing of the Medicare prescription drug ‘doughnut hole;' and financial subsidies to help low and moderate income Americans purchase coverage.”