Do Arkansas residents want to continue their unique expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare? That seems to depend on whether you tell them it’s a part of the health care reform law or not.
A new poll found that Arkansans support the so-called private option and want to continue it — 48 percent to 33 percent — if the question doesn’t mention that the state adopted it through Obamacare.
But if you add a reference to Obamacare, support drops significantly: 35 percent of residents support it and 39 percent oppose.
As TPM reported, a group of conservatives in the Arkansas legislature believes they have the votes to block funding for the Medicaid expansion, which the body must approve again this spring. If they succeed, up to 85,000 people could lose their health coverage.
The poll, conducted by Talk Business-Hendrix College on Jan. 19, surveyed 520 likely voters.
