Minorities more optimistic on healthcare

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WORTHINGTON, Ohio, April 9 (UPI) -- Hispanics, blacks and Asians are optimistic the benefits of healthcare reform will benefit the majority, but whites disagree, a U.S. survey indicates.

The March American Pulse Survey, conducted March 12-19 utilizing BIGinsight survey panels involving 3,892 respondents, found 71.7 percent of blacks somewhat or strongly agree that the Affordable Care Act, pushed by the Obama administration and passed by Congress, will benefit the majority of Americans.

Sixty-two percent of Asians and 55 percent of Hispanics share this view, but only 36 percent of whites say they expect healthcare reform will benefit all. Further, minorities are more likely than whites to say that healthcare reform will improve the quality of medical services in the United States.

Sixty-four percent of disagree the government has the right to decide what healthcare services companies offer to employees -- 68 percent of whites support this position along with 47.6 percent of Hispanics, 42.8 percent of Asians and 40.8 percent of blacks.

"Most Americans seem to agree that medical services to fix current problems and prevent future ones are untouchable," Dianne Kremer, senior analyst at BIGinsight, said in a statement. "Concern that preventative healthcare services could be cut will likely influence voters -- they will want to be sure their medical needs are met."

Blacks and Asians say that over-the-counter cold medications are untouchable, as are contraceptive services for blacks and Hispanics, Kremer says.