Examining Christian views toward the Affordable Care Act: The importance of race and denomination

Abstract

While the majority of U.S. Christians opposed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, opinion was deeply divided by race/ethnicity and denominational group. Using national data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study, we analyzed variation in ACA support across Christian denominational groups and offered explanations for these differences. We found overwhelming support among African Americans, less unified but majority support from Hispanics, and majority opposition from non-Hispanic White Christians. Among White Catholics and Protestants, ACA support varied considerably, and views toward abortion policy statistically explained much of the difference in likelihood to support the ACA across denominational categories (comparing White mainline versus Evangelical Protestants, and white moderate versus devout Catholics). Differences in anti-Black racial resentment were substantial between White Evangelical and mainline Protestants, and helped explain some of the gaps in ACA support between these groups. We conclude that differences in ACA views by denomination can be explained by firmly held group beliefs that may be difficult to sway, even if the program is a technical success.

Keywords:

• Affordable Care Act
• Catholic
• Evangelicals
• health reform
• public opinion
• race
• religion

Notes

Notes

1 This is more relevant for Republican primaries, and remains particularly relevant for primary races in Southern States.

2 The survey item asked respondents for their views toward the “comprehensive health reform act” that “Requires all Americans to obtain health insurance. Allows people to keep current provider. Sets up health insurance option for those without coverage. Increase taxes on those making more than $280,000 a year.”

3 Throughout this paper we use the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably, based on U.S. Census usage. The 2010 Cooperative Congressional Survey uses the term “Hispanic or Latino” as a choice in its item for Race which asks “Which racial or ethnic group best describes you?”

4 http://www.gallup.com/poll/160373/democrats-racially-diverse-republicans-mostly-white.aspx