Poll: Americans still don't understand ObamaCare

Why? Two reasons — both outlined in the Kaiser data.

First, the issue has become incredibly polarized and is now widely seen through a partisan lens. Overall 46 percent of the sample have a favorable opinion of the health care law while 40 percent have an unfavorable view. But, Democrats are strongly supportive (77 percent favorable) while Republicans are strongly opposed (79 percent unfavorable). Independents are more closely divided but those who regard the bill unfavorably (46 percent) do outnumber hose who see it in a positive light (37 percent).

Second, more than half of all Americans called either cable news (36 percent) or network news (16 percent) their most important source of information about the health care law. Television — particularly cable television — deals in short segment usually featuring partisans trying to score political points, factors that tend to create a sort of “muddying the waters” effect on what voters perceive about any issue.