Support for health law up to 48 percent in February

(HealthDay)—Support for the health law is increasing, with most Americans feeling that Medicaid should continue as it is today, according to a report published by Kaiser Health News.

The monthly tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found an increase in support for the health law, up to 48 percent in February, representing a 5-point increase since the December poll. Furthermore, 60 percent of people said that they were not in favor of the current GOP proposals for allowing state control of Medicaid or changing the federal funding method.

The increase in the health law's popularity is largely due to an increase in support among independents, with approval at 50 percent. Most Democrats approve of the law (73 percent), while most Republicans disapprove (74 percent), continuing the trend dating to passage of the law. Republicans tend to be evenly divided about wanting or not wanting repeal of the law (47 and 48 percent, respectively), but only 18 percent of those favoring repeal support working out the replacement details later. Among Republicans, 31, 48, and 16 percent favor immediate repeal, support simultaneous repeal and replacement, and don't want the law repealed, respectively.

Nearly two-thirds of those polled preferred the current Medicaid program to a block grant that would give states more flexibility but limit Medicaid's budget, or a per capita cap, which would limit funding to states, but allow federal funding to increase.