The April Health Tracking Poll gauged Americans' opinions of the Affordable Care Act in the wake of the Supreme Court oral arguments in the legal challenges to the health reform law in March.

This Data Note looks at what the general public thinks of the individual mandate, explores the reasons why favorability ratings have been so low, and suggests that while opinion on the mandate has been fairly consistent over time, it also remains malleable, and basic factual information and messages can sway Americans' opinion.

This Data Note draws from the March 2012 Kaiser Health Tracking Poll and examines people's impressions of how the law and the Court case will affect them, focusing primarily on those groups that are in the position to receive the greatest benefits.

As the oral arguments on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) begin in two weeks before the Supreme Court, the March Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds that Americans' views on the case mirror their views on the health reform law and that they expect parts of the ACA to continue whatever the Court rules.

The public has remained deeply divided on the health reform law since it was passed in March 2010. Use this interactive infographic to examine how specific groups feel about the law and how those opinions have changed or not changed over time.

The February health tracking poll finds most Americans oppose Medicare premium support proposal even with a newly offered traditional Medicare option, though arguments in favor can lessen opposition. The poll also finds that among women, Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to support a Federal requirement that health insurance plans cover contraceptives.

The January Health Tracking Poll probes the public's views and expectations about the Supreme Court case on the health reform law and the public's knowledge and opinions of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's health care positions.

The December Tracking Poll finds the recent dip in support of the health reform law has been fully reversed, and the concept of health exchanges has wide, bipartisan support.

The November Health Tracking Poll takes a closer look at public opinion and knowledge about specific provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and finds that individual elements of the law are viewed favorably by a majority of the public.  Overall, Americans remain somewhat more likely to have an unfavorable view of the law (44%) than a favorable one (37%).

The October health tracking poll finds a more negative overall public mood about the health reform law, driven largely by changes in support for the law among Democrats.  The poll also asked the public’s impressions of the Massachusetts health reform law enacted under then- Gov. Mitt Romney, who is now a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.