Patients with depression favor keeping ACA

As discussions over a potential repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continue in Washington, a study published this week by health network PatientsLikeMe finds that a greater percentage of those who report major depressive disorder (MDD) as a primary condition do not want the ACA repealed compared to the general population.

Of those with MDD, 59% responded that the law should not be repealed compared to 45% of respondents to the PatientsLikeMe survey overall. Those who listed MDD as their primary condition comprised 5% of the 2,197 respondents who completed the survey.

Among the study’s other findings with regards to MDD patients:

• 42% of respondents with MDD said federal government spending on healthcare should not decrease vs. 29% of respondents overall.
• 37% of those with MDD said the federal government’s role in healthcare should not decrease, compared to 28% of overall replies.

Also, 49.4% of respondents in the general population said dealing with the prescription painkiller epidemic is important, but not a top priority. An additional 26.1% said it should be a top priority, while 21.5% said it’s not important. Just 3% said no action should be taken.