Ethnic Voters in Calif. Show Strong Support for Reform Law, Poll Finds
In California, most ethnic voters say they support the federal health reform law, according to a recent Field Poll, New America Media reports.
The poll -- funded by the California Wellness Foundation -- surveyed 1,579 registered California voters, 407 of whom were from ethnic communities. The poll was administered in:
- Cantonese;
- English;
- Korean;
- Mandarin;
- Spanish;
- Tagalog; and
- Vietnamese (Sundaram, New America Media, 8/21).
General Poll Results
The poll found that 54% of all respondents support the reform law and 37% do not support it, compared with 52% who supported it and 39% who opposed it in 2011.
In addition, 38% of all respondents said they strongly support the law, compared with 31% in 2011, the poll found (California Healthline, 8/20).
Poll Results for Ethnic Communities
According to the poll, the law is supported by:
- 88% of black voters (New America Media, 8/21);
- 67% of Latino voters;
- 63% of Korean-American voters;
- 62% of Vietnamese-American voters; and
- 45% of Chinese-American voters (Field Poll, 8/20).
Possible Reasons for Support in Ethnic Communities
Gerald Kominski -- professor of health policy and management and director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research -- suggested that ethnic groups "are strongly supportive" of the law because they will benefit from its provisions.
Carmela Castellano-Garcia -- president and CEO of the California Primary Care Association -- said she is not surprised that Latino support for the law is so high because one-third of Latinos are uninsured. She said, "Their support is mired in the dire situation they face" (New America Media, 8/21).
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