The degree to which uninsured Americans’ actual purchases of health insurance will match their self-reported intentions is not clear. Gallup will report additional research in April that will shed light on the demographic makeup and health status of those who are newly insured since January, focusing particularly on whether Democrats have been more likely than Republicans to sign up.

Republicans’ lower representation in the ranks of those who say they are uninsured somewhat mitigates the effect of uninsured Republicans’ being less likely to plan to sign up. Sixteen percent of the pool of the uninsured in the March 1-26 sample identify as Republican, compared with 25% of the overall 18 and older population. Democrats represent 27% of the uninsured, slightly below their representation in the population. Independents, at 51%, are the biggest component of the uninsured, compared with 41% of the entire adult sample.