Seniors still angry with healthcare law, but many approve of the changes

Most Americans are still unsure what effect the new healthcare law will have on them, and seniors more than any other group view the new reforms unfavorably, according to results of a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey.

More than half of all those surveyed—55%—said they were confused by the new law, and 56% said they would need more information to figure out how the law effects them, according to Thursday's report from Kaiser. Seniors, who had largely opposed the reforms during last year's debates, are significantly more likely than those under 65 to be angry with the law. While only 28% of younger respondents opposed the healthcare reforms, 45% of seniors were still angry. Overall, 46% view the laws favorably, 40% view them unfavorably and 14% are undecided.

Despite the anger and confusion over the new law, a large majority of individuals old and young, conservative and liberal, approve of the early provisions of the law. Kaiser finds that 86% support tax credits for small businesses, 81% want to make it harder for insurance companies to drop or deny coverage, 78% like the $250 rebate for seniors who have fallen into the Medicare Part D donut hole, and 57% approve of limiting Medicare payments to certain types of healthcare providers.