To: Interested Parties

From: Whit Ayres, North Star Opinion Research

Dave Sackett, The Tarrance Group

Date: August 4, 2014

Re: Most Potent Criticisms of Obamacare


Our firms conducted a survey of 1754 likely general election voters from throughout the country
from June 21-29, 2014, to determine the most potent criticisms of Obamacare. These survey
results provide a roadmap for how Obamacare opponents may continue to effectively engage the
public in efforts to roll back the law. The survey tested 57 different criticisms to assess the
perceived effects of Obamacare on health care costs, health insurance premiums, health
insurance choices, access to insurance, quality of care, jobs, taxes, Medicare, privacy, and federal
and state budgets.

Overall Environment
Obamacare remains of serious concern to the sampled population, garnering significant
opposition among Republicans and widespread criticism among independents who are suspicious
of the laws Washington-driven approach. Their continued skepticism only serves to demonstrate
the serious flaws in the law. But not all ways of attacking Obamacare are equally effective. The
most persuasive criticisms all displayed key commonalities: they were simple, clean arguments
that speak to key pocketbook problems the law is creating when it comes to higher premiums,
access to care, jobs, taxes, Medicare, and federal and state budgets.

The following are lists of the most potent criticisms among key groups of the public and the
percentages associated with each. The percentages in parentheses are the proportion of that group
that finds the particular criticism "very persuasive," a higher threshold than persuasive.

Overall:

1. Obamacare puts Washington in control of your health care. (63%)
2. Obamacare drives up health insurance premiums and co-pays. (61%)
3. Obamacare causes employers to cut back workers' hours from full time to part time
to control their health care costs. (61%)

Republicans: Effects on small businesses, hours, coverage, and choice

Most Potent Criticisms of Obamacare Page 2

1. Obamacare causes employers to cut back workers' hours from full time to part time to control
their health care costs. (85%)
2. Obamacare makes it harder for small businesses to survive by increasing their health care
costs. (84%)
3. Under Obamacare, many people are losing their current coverage and being forced into plans
with higher deductibles. (83%)
4. Obamacare takes away choices and forces people to buy coverage they don't want, don't
need, and can't afford. (83%)

Independents: Effects on costs, hours, and DC control

1. Obamacare will cost American taxpayers more than $2 trillion. (63%)
2. Obamacare puts Washington in control of your health care. (62%)
3. Obamacare causes employers to cut back workers' hours from full time to part time to control
their health care costs. (62%)
4. Obamacare drives up health insurance premiums and co-pays. (62%)

Strong Tea Party Supporters: Effects on layoffs, costs, and DC control

1. Obamacare causes companies to lay off people because of higher health care costs. (93%)
2. Obamacare puts Washington in control of your health care. (92%)
3. Obamacare drives up health insurance premiums and co-pays. (92%)

Young People 18 to 29: Effects on costs, coverage, and DC control

1. Obamacare puts Washington in control of your health care. (62%)
2. Under Obamacare, many people are losing their current coverage and being forced into plans
with higher deductibles. (59%)
3. Obamacare will cost American taxpayers more than $2 trillion. (57%)

Seniors 65+: Effects on costs, small businesses, and Medicare

1. Obamacare drives up health insurance premiums and co-pays. (74%)
2. Obamacare increases paperwork for small businesses. (70%)
3. Obamacare hurts Medicare by cutting $700 billion out of the program for seniors, reducing
benefits and limiting access to doctors. (69%)

White Married Women: Effects on small businesses, coverage, and DC control

1. Obamacare makes it harder for small businesses to survive by increasing their health care
costs. (78%)
2. Under Obamacare, many people are losing their current coverage and being forced into plans
with higher deductibles. (75%)
3. Obamacare causes businesses to drop health insurance coverage for their employees. (74%)
4. Obamacare puts Washington in control of your health care. (73%)