It's not hard to figure out why so many politicians are coming out against the Cadillac tax. The controversial provision of the Affordable Care Act, which levies a tax on the most generous health care plans, is not popular among voters.
A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 60 percent of Americans say they oppose the tax after hearing it described. Only 28 percent are supportive and 12 percent didn't know or declined to answer.
Unsurprisingly, Republicans were the most likely to be opposed, with 85 percent against the policy and only 8 percent for it. Two-thirds of independents also opposed the policy, with only 25 percent in favor. Democrats appear ambivalent; 48 percent support the policy, 36 percent oppose it and 16 percent are unsure.
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However, people's opinions on the little-known provision are highly susceptible to arguments presented for or against it.
When told by the pollster that the provision would mean that employees would have to pay more out-of-pocket for health care (through higher deductibles and co-pays), an additional 15 percent of respondents say they're against the law, bringing the total opposed to 75 percent. Only 11 percent remain supportive and 14 percent are unsure.
But when they're told the tax could help lower health care costs, the total who support the law jumps to 55 percent, with only 30 percent opposed and 15 percent unsure.
So far, however, none of the candidates likely to be the next president have tried to make a case for the Cadillac tax. In addition to the GOP candidates, who promise to scrap the ACA entirely, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have come out against the tax. Both are likely sensitive to criticisms of the policy by unions, many of whom do not want to see the generous health benefits they have negotiated for members reduced. Business groups have also mounted vociferous objections to the tax.
In recent weeks, experts who support the tax have reacted with alarm to its abandonment by Clinton and other prominent ACA advocates. Over 100 economists signed a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee urging lawmakers to keep what they argue is a vital tool to control health care costs.
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