New poll: 47 percent disapprove of health care law

Posted at 11:24 AM on March 26, 2012 by Paul Tosto
Filed under: Health

Supreme Court justices decide if laws are constitutional. But they also keep tabs on public opinion. And as they mull the constitutionality of President Obama's health care law, they'll find the public deeply divided.

The latest polling by CBS News and the New York Times finds:

47 percent of Americans disapprove of the president's Affordable Care Act, including 30 percent who strongly disapprove. In the poll, conducted March 21-25, only 36 percent of those questioned said they support the law either somewhat or strongly.

Opinions of the health care law break down largely along party lines. Most Republicans disapprove of it, including six in 10 who disapprove strongly, while most Democrats approve. Among independents, just under half are opposed to the law. A majority of Tea Party supporters also disapprove.

There are differences when the results are broken down by age, as well. Americans under age 30 are the most likely of any age group to approve of the law. Among those who are older, more disapprove of the law than approve of it.

While the numbers seem gloomy for supporters of the health care act -- the poll still shows more opponents than supporters -- the trend is shifting slowly in their favor. Two years ago, when the bill became law, 53 percent were opposed and 32 percent supported.

Find all the poll results here.