Survey: Many who could benefit from Obamacare' unaware

NEW YORK, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Those most likely to benefit from the Affordable Care Act's marketplace and premium subsidies are least likely to be aware of them, a U.S. survey indicates.

The Commonwealth Fund Health Insurance Marketplace Survey found as the key components of the Affordable Care Act roll out this week, more than three-quarters of U.S. adults were aware of the law's individual mandate.

However, only 4-in-10 were aware of the new health insurance marketplaces opening Tuesday, or the financial assistance available to help people with low or moderate incomes pay their health insurance premiums.

The Commonwealth Fund survey also found 68 percent of adults said they were somewhat or strongly in favor of making Medicaid available to more residents in their state.

The survey also found:

-- 32 percent of people without health insurance coverage during the past year were aware of the marketplaces, compared with 43 percent with coverage all year.

-- 31 percent of people without coverage during the year were aware of the subsidies available, compared with 43 percent of those insured all year.

-- 32 percent of adults with incomes under 250 percent of the federal poverty level -- $28,725 for an individual and $58,875 for a family -- were aware of the subsidies, compared with 47 percent of those with higher incomes.

Nearly equal shares of potentially eligible people who identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans said they are very or somewhat likely to shop in the marketplaces -- 67 percent versus 63 percent -- though Democrats express somewhat stronger interest.

The 17-minute telephone survey was conducted July 15- Sept. 8 of 6,132 U.S adults, ages 19-64. No margin of error was provided.