Despite opposition, most want lawmakers to make ACA work

Even though many people are opposed to the Affordable Care Act – the legislation that requires people to obtain health insurance benefits – the public would like to see lawmakers do what they can with the reform law to make it work for everyone, according to a new poll.

More than 50 percent of individuals who confessed to being against the ACA said they wanted politicians to make the law work, the Pew Research Center found. Meanwhile, about 19 percent said they preferred legislators implementing efforts that would rescind the health reform law, which was signed into law four years ago by President Barack Obama.

Overall, approximately 55 percent of respondents said they disapproved of the ACA, Pew revealed in the poll. Just over 40 percent said they approved of the legislation, which requires all those who are financially capable to buy a health plan.

Many people who may not have the money to purchase coverage could be eligible for subsidies. Approximately 8 in 10 Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders could qualify for financial assistance through the exchanges, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That is the equivalent of approximately 2 million people, said Kathleen Sebelius, HHS secretary.