US Voters Are Pessimistic about the ACA, with 3 out of 4 Expecting Healthcare Quality, Access and Costs to Remain the Same or Get Worse after Implementation

NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) set to go into effect in 2014, most US voters remain pessimistic about healthcare, according to new research from WG Consulting, a division of ghg. Three out of four anticipate that the cost and quality of care, access to medications and doctors, availability of treatment innovations, and insurance costs and coverage all will stay the same or get worse.  Those who voted for Romney are more likely than Obama supporters to believe they will see the overall quality of healthcare decline when the ACA is implemented.

In contrast, the uninsured are most optimistic about the ACA, with 1 in 3 expecting an improvement in the quality of care, compared to just 1 in 5 insured voters.  In addition, more than twice as many uninsured voters as insured voters think they will be better off in terms of insurance coverage and costs, as a result of the ACA. 

"Voters are divided on many aspects of the ACA, with cost of care an issue where we see particularly wide gaps among segments," says Claire Gillis, CEO of WG Consulting.  "Almost half of Obama voters believe the election results will leave them better off in terms of cost of care, while just 6% of Romney supporters would agree with that positive outlook.  In addition, twice as many African American and Hispanic voters as white voters think they will see improvements on cost of care, with Obama returning to the White House.  There also are major differences among age groups, with 39% of voters under 35 anticipating cost of care will get better -- a view shared by just 19% of those 50 and older.  It will be important to continue monitoring voters to see how perceptions change as the ACA becomes reality -- and if experiences with the ACA closes or widens the gaps among audiences."

Voters Want Pharmaceutical Companies to Play an Active Role in Reforming Healthcare

Voters want to see pharmaceutical companies actively involved in improving healthcare.  Three-quarters of voters think it's extremely important for the pharmaceutical industry to be involved in controlling/reducing drug costs.  In addition, almost two-thirds place the highest importance on pharmaceutical manufacturers working more closely with doctors to improve patients' health outcomes -- and more than half feel strongly that pharma should provide more patient assistance programs for those in financial need.  Almost half place extreme importance on pharma serving as an advocate to expand patient access to drugs.

"In earlier research we performed with physicians, payers and pharmaceutical companies, respondents were split 50/50 on whether it's pharma's job to help with ACA implementation and healthcare reforms," says Lynn O'Connor Vos, CEO of ghg.  "In contrast, consumers feel strongly that pharma has a key role to play, with communications being one of the primary ways they'd like to see pharmaceutical companies participate in improving healthcare. 

"More than 80% think it's extremely or somewhat important for pharmaceutical companies to produce educational materials on healthcare reforms for consumers, as well as to create web sites and literature for patients on their conditions and treatment options.  In addition, three-quarters put importance on providing apps to help sufferers better manage their conditions.  Our research shows a clear 'call-to-action' for pharma to be part of the healthcare solution -- not only in developing treatment innovations but in providing information, guidance and support."

More than 1200 Voters Participate

The WG Consulting research was part of the 2012 Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) National Post-Election Study.  The online study was conducted among 1,202 American voters on November 9 and 10, 2012.

About WG Consulting

WG Consulting, part of the ghg network, is a global, evidence-based, best-in-class market access consultancy, aligning clinical, HEOR and payer analytics across all therapeutic categories and every stage of the drug commercialization process.  It provides value-driven, integrated, market access solutions and guidance, helping clients effectively communicate brand value to clinical and payer stakeholders and optimize patient outcomes.  A worldwide leader, WG recently opened a new US office at 114 Fifth Avenue, New York.                     

 About PSB

Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), a member of WPP Group, is a global research-based consultancy that specializes in strategy, positioning and messaging with key stakeholders. With offices in the US, the UK, and Asia, PSB has conducted thousands of market research studies to gather evidence to advise our clients on how to optimize the success of marketing and commercialization. PSB's Healthcare Practice works across the healthcare ecosystem from discovery to healthcare delivery, helping clients achieve their business and policy goals and advance medicine and health.

SOURCE ghg