Public wants tax credits for all 50 states, opposes GOP politicizing of case

WASHINGTON--Americans want tax credits to be available in all 50 states, will express broad disapproval if the Supreme Court disrupts the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and are displeased to learn that congressional Republicans want to take ACA tax credits away from people in 34 states. Those are the lead takeaways from new polling released today by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Hart Research Associates on the eve of oral arguments before the Supreme Court in King v. Burwell.

See a memo from the pollster and topline results.

The case challenges the government's issuance of tax credits to millions of working Americans who enroll in private health insurance through the federal healthcare exchange established through ACA, putting the law in jeopardy. The tax credits have meant that millions of working women and men in approximately 36 states have gained affordable, quality healthcare under the law and can now see a doctor, afford lifesaving prescription drugs and be free of the fear of medical bankruptcy.

The survey shows that:

• 61 percent of Americans like the tax credits (Democrats 79 to 7, independents 54 to 21 and even Republicans 49 to 22).
  
• 71 percent want the credits to be available in all fifty states and 63 percent would object to limiting the credits to just the sixteen states with state exchanges.
  
• 51 percent believe a win for the challengers would be because of politics; only 33 percent believe it would be based mainly on the law.
  
• 59 percent feel less favorable toward GOP leaders when told they are with the challengers.

"The healthcare law is working," said SEIU International Executive Vice President Kirk Adams, who leads the union's healthcare work. "Republicans are putting their political agenda over the healthcare and financial security of working Americans. SEIU members have a long history of fighting for meaningful healthcare reform, and we'll continue to fight to ensure that all have access to affordable care."

"Large majorities in every subgroup, including rank-and-file Republican voters, want an outcome that preserves the tax credits in all 50 states," said Geoffrey Garin, president of Hart Research Associates, one of the nation's leading survey research firms. "A decision restricting the availability of the tax credits would meet with disapproval among majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans."

On March 4, hundreds of ACA supporters--including health care providers, consumers and others--will rally on the Supreme Court plaza ahead of oral arguments. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last through oral argument.

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