The document summarizes polling data from October 2012 on American voters' views toward key issues in the upcoming presidential election, including the economy, health care, and Medicare. The top issues for voters were the economy (52%) and health care issues like Medicaid (37%) and Medicare (36%). On health policy, Obama had small leads over Romney on most issues. A majority said people with pre-existing conditions would fare better under Obama's plan. Views on the Affordable Care Act remained divided, though seniors had more unfavorable than favorable views of the law. Most voters also opposed changing Medicare to a premium support system.

1. Economy Tops Voters’ Issue Agenda, But Health Care Issues Also In Mix
Thinking ahead to the November election, please tell me how important each of the following will be to your vote for
president.
52%
38%
37%
36%
34%
30%
29%
25%
20%
41%
39%
35%
41%
39%
35%
39%
31%
34%
5%
17%
16%
16%
20%
23%
24%
21%
31%
1%
5%
8%
6%
5%
11%
6%
21%
13%
The economy and jobs
Medicaid
SLIDE 1
The federal budget deficit
Medicare
Note: Asked of half sample. Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
The 2010 health care law
Extremely important Very important Less important than thatSomewhat important
Taxes
Foreign policy
Abortion
Immigration
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

2. 43%
43%
43%
41%
30%
25%
25%
21%
18%
45%
30%
24%
18%
31%
29%
22%
21%
15%
Issue Priorities Vary With Party Affiliation
Percent who say that each of the following issues will be extremely important to their vote for president:
Democrats Republicans
Note: Asked of half sample.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
The economy and jobs
Medicare
The 2010 health care law
Medicaid
Immigration
Foreign policy
SLIDE 2
Abortion
Taxes
The federal budget deficit
Independents
67%
33%
20%
49%
41%
58%
38%
31%
25%
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

3. President Obama Holds Narrowed Advantage On Most Health Policy Issues
Which presidential candidate, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, do you trust to do a better job at each of the
following?
51%
48%
46%
46%
46%
33%
40%
39%
39%
41%
SLIDE 3
Determining the future of the 2010 health care
law
Making decisions about women’s reproductive
health choices and services
Determining the future of the Medicare
program
Lowering health care costs for people like you
Note: Both (vol.), Neither/Other (vol.), and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
President Barack Obama Governor Mitt Romney
Determining the future of the Medicaid
program
Pres. Obama-Gov. Romney
Percentage Point Difference
+18
+8
+7
+7
+5
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

4. More Say People With Pre-Existing Conditions Would Fare Better Under
President’s Health Plan
Do you think people with pre-existing health conditions would have a better chance of getting health insurance
under President Obama’s health plan or under Governor Romney’s health plan?
52%
87%
47%
17%
28%
3%
25%
63%
SLIDE 4
Independents
Total
Democrats
Note: Both (vol.), Neither (vol.), and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
President Barack Obama Governor Mitt Romney
Republicans
Pres. Obama-Gov. Romney
Percentage Point Difference
+24
+84
+22
-46
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

5. 40
44
41
35
45
40
44
40 41
50
48
46
41
44
46
43 44 43
51
44 43 44 43
40
43 44
41
44 43
40
43%
14 14
10
14
12 11
15
18 18
9 8
13
18
14
12
15
17 16 15
19
17
19
15
19
15
19 18 17
19
14
19%
46
41
48
50
43
49
42
42 42
41
43 42 41 42 42 42
39
41
34
37
41
37
42
41
42
37
41
38 38
45
38%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Public Remains Divided On ACA; September Uptick Erased
As you may know, a health reform bill was signed into law in 2010. Given what you know about the health reform
law, do you have a generally favorable or generally unfavorable opinion of it?
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
SLIDE 5
Don’t know/RefusedUnfavorableFavorable
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010

6. Large Share Of Republicans Intense In Their Opposition To ACA
As you may know, a health reform bill was signed into law in 2010. Given what you know about the health reform
law, do you have a generally favorable or generally unfavorable opinion of it?
7%
16%
25%
18%
3%
16%
39%
20%
17%
21%
7%
14%
60%
28%
8%
29%Total
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
SLIDE 6
Very favorable Somewhat favorable Very unfavorableSomewhat unfavorable
Note: Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)

7. 78
72
69
73
68
75
69 68 69
73
66
71
64
72
65 64
60
65
52
62
64
62
64
66
70
62
71
69
64
72
64%
36
37
49 48
41 42
34
37 37
34
43
37
41
35
33
38
33
36
32
34 33
30
40 40 39
34
38
35 34
41
32%
13
8
23 21
16
21
11
15
12 12 11
9
12
17
20
16
24
14
11 12
19
12
16
12
7 8 7
12
8
16
10%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Chronic Partisan Divide Over ACA
Percent who say they have a favorable opinion of the health reform law:
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
SLIDE 7
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010
RepublicansIndependentsDemocrats

8. 66
64
60
66
61
64
61
65
56
60
53
65
59
56
59 59
62 62
67
58
67
64
55
68
55%
41 41
26
30
33
42
28
33
29
32
42
24 26 26
29
26
33
38
32
28
34
28
35
42
26%
12
18 16
18 19
17 17
15 15 13 14
11
13 12 11
8
21
20
15
9 9 8
17
13
17%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
On ACA, Independents Who Lean Still Look Like Partisans
Percent who say they have a favorable opinion of the health reform law:
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
SLIDE 8
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010
RepublicansIndependentsDemocrats
Independents Who
Lean Republican
Independents
Who Don’t Lean
Independents Who
Lean Democratic

9. 32
30
28 29
30
28 29
31
33 32 31 30
28 28
34
29
33 32 31 31 31 33
25
33 32 31 32
30
26
32%
30
32
39
33
36
33 32
34
28
44
38 39
37 38
35
39
37
34
44
41
39
35
41
34 34
37 37 37
33 33%
31
29
28 32
29
32
31
25
32
20
28
26 27 28
24
27
24
27
18
23
26 26
27
26 26
23
25 26
31
26%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Public Split On How ACA Will Impact Their Own Family
Do you think you and your family will be better off or worse off under the health reform law, or don’t you think it
will make much difference?
Note: Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
SLIDE 9
Worse offBetter off Won’t make much difference
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010

10. 35 35
32
35
37
34 34
36 37
38 39
35 35
38 39
35
37
36
36 36 37
36
32
38
38
35
41
37
33
35%
11
13
19
15
18
15
18
16 15
22
19 19 18 19 20 20 21
18
29
22
19 19
22
18 17
20
18 17 17
21%
45
43 42 43
39
42
39 38
40
34
37
38 39
37
35
39
33
38
28
35
37
37
39
37
39
34 35 36
40
34%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Will Country Benefit From ACA? Another Lasting Division Of Opinion
Do you think the country as a whole will be better off or worse off under the health reform law, or don’t you
think it will make much difference?
SLIDE 10
Note: Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
Worse offBetter off Won’t make much difference
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010

11. 33
36 35
39
42
36
41
37 36
31
31
35%
20
18 18
21 22 22
19 19
21 22
17 18%
36 36
38
32 31
35
31
34
32
36
40
33%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Public Split On ACA’s Impact On Seniors
Do you think seniors, that is those ages 65 and older, will be better off or worse off under the health reform
law, or don’t you think it will make much difference?
SLIDE 11
Note: Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
Worse offBetter off Won’t make much difference
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010

12. 30 30 31
28
31 32
28
32
30
34 34 34
31
28%
30 30
30
35
33
31
27 28
25
29%
55
44 42 43
45
53
47
52
43
50
53
46 47
41%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Four In Ten Say They Are “Confused” About Health Reform Law; Equal Shares
“Angry” And “Enthusiastic”
Percent who say that each of the following describes their feelings about the health reform law:
SLIDE 12
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
AngryConfused Enthusiastic
ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010

13. Majority Of Voters Oppose Changing Medicare To Premium Support System
Which of these two descriptions comes closer to your view of what Medicare should look like in the future?
61%
78%
58%
45%
31%
19%
31%
46%
SLIDE 13
Total
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
Note: Other (vol.) and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
Medicare should continue as it is today, with
the government guaranteeing all seniors the
same set of health insurance benefits
Medicare should be changed to a system in which the
government guarantees each senior a fixed amount of
money to help them purchase coverage either from
traditional Medicare or from a list of private health plans
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

14. Little Change In Backing For Medicare Premium Support Over The Fall
Which of these two descriptions comes closer to your view of what Medicare should look like in the future?
61%
58%
59%
31%
35%
36%
SLIDE 14
October 2012
September 2012
July/August 2012
Medicare should continue as it is today, with
the government guaranteeing all seniors the
same set of health insurance benefits
Medicare should be changed to a system in which the
government guarantees each senior a fixed amount of
money to help them purchase coverage either from
traditional Medicare or from a list of private health plans
Note: The July/August survey data is among ‘Registered Voters’. Other (vol.) and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls; The Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation Dimensions of Partisanship Survey (conducted July 25 –
August 5, 2012)
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

15. Seniors Most Opposed To Changing Medicare To Premium Support System
Which of these two descriptions comes closer to your view of what Medicare should look like in the future?
61%
58%
61%
72%
31%
35%
31%
18%
SLIDE 15
Total
18-54
55-64
65+
Note: Other (vol.) and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
Medicare should continue as it is today, with
the government guaranteeing all seniors the
same set of health insurance benefits
Medicare should be changed to a system in which the
government guarantees each senior a fixed amount of
money to help them purchase coverage either from
traditional Medicare or from a list of private health plans
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

16. 55
51 51
46
53
49
52
46
40
50
59
52
45
53 54
50
46 46
58
46
50 51
42
42
51
49
45
49
40
46
44%
12
14
18 17
13 13
16 16
26
10 9 8
24
11
15
18 18 19
13
18 18
14
19
14
17
21 21
13
18
16
21%
32
35
32
38
34
38
32
38
34
40
32
40
31
36
31 32
35 34
29
36
31
35
39
44
33
30
34
37
43
38
35%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
2010 2011 2012
Unfavorable Views Of ACA Outstrip Favorable Among Seniors
As you may know, a health reform bill was signed into law in 2010. Given what you know about the health reform
law, do you have a generally favorable or generally unfavorable opinion of it?
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
SLIDE 16
Don’t know/RefusedUnfavorableFavorable
AMONG SENIORS (Ages 65+)ACA signed into law
on March 23, 2010

17. 52%
32%
37%
36%
27%
28%
22%
35%
18%
Among Seniors, Medicare Pulls Nearly Even With Economy As Top Issue
Percent who say that each of the following issues will be extremely important to their vote for president:
Ages 65+
Note: Asked of half sample.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
SLIDE 17
Ages 18-64
54%
50%
41%
41%
37%
34%
34%
31%
27%
The economy and jobs
Medicare
The 2010 health care law
The federal budget deficit
Immigration
Abortion
Taxes
Foreign policy
Medicaid
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

18. 43% 48%
Seniors Divided On Which Candidate To Trust With Medicare, Even As
Majority Oppose Shifting Program To Premium Support
SLIDE 18
Governor Mitt Romney
Note: Both (vol.), Neither/Other (vol.), Other (vol.) and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted October 18-23, 2012)
Which presidential candidate, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, do you trust to do a better job determining the
future of the Medicare program?
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS AGES 65+
Which of these two descriptions comes closer to your view of what Medicare should look like in the future?
President Barack Obama
72% 18%
Medicare should be changed
to a system in which the
government guarantees each
senior a fixed amount of
money to help them purchase
coverage
Medicare should continue as it
is today, with the government
guaranteeing all seniors the
same set of health insurance
benefits

19. Voters More Aware Of President’s Plans For ACA Than Governor Romney’s
How familiar are you with *Mitt Romney’s/Barack Obama’s+ plans for the 2010 health care law?
37%
36%
20%
19%
46%
43%
41%
35%
8%
13%
16%
21%
7%
8%
20%
24%
SLIDE 19
Note: Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
Very familiar Somewhat familiar Not at all familiarNot too familiar
October 2012
September 2012
October 2012
September 2012
President Obama’s Plan
Governor Romney’s Plan
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

20. More Familiar With President Obama’s Plans For Medicare, But Small Uptick
For Governor Romney Over Past Month
How familiar are you with *Mitt Romney’s/Barack Obama’s+ plans for the Medicare program?
30%
28%
19%
14%
46%
46%
40%
39%
14%
15%
19%
22%
8%
9%
21%
24%
SLIDE 20
Note: Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Polls
Very familiar Somewhat familiar Not at all familiarNot too familiar
October 2012
September 2012
October 2012
September 2012
President Obama’s Plan
Governor Romney’s Plan
AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

21. Methodology
This Kaiser Health Tracking Poll was designed and analyzed by public opinion researchers at the Kaiser Family
Foundation led by Mollyann Brodie, Ph.D., including Claudia Deane, Sarah Cho, and Theresa Boston. The survey
was conducted October 18-23, 2012, among a nationally representative random digit dial telephone sample of
1,215 adults ages 18 and older, living in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii (note: persons without a
telephone could not be included in the random selection process). Computer-assisted telephone interviews
conducted by landline (704) and cell phone (511, including 282 who had no landline telephone) were carried out
in English and Spanish by Braun Research, Inc. under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates
International (PSRAI). The combined landline and cell phone sample was weighted to balance the sample
demographics to match Census estimates for the national population on sex, age, education, race, Hispanic
origin, nativity (for Hispanics only), region, and telephone usage.
All statistical tests of significance account for the effect of weighting. The margin of sampling error including the
design effect for the full sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points. For likely voters, the margin of sampling
error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. Note that sampling error is only one of many potential sources of error
in this or any other public opinion poll.
The full question wording and methodology of the polls can be viewed online at:
http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/8381.cfm.
SLIDE 21