Sixty percent of state governors and insurance commissioners polled cited challenges with Obamacare, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
House Republican members sent a letter to state governors and insurance commissioners in December asking how Obamacare affected their state, as well as how they felt about efforts to repeal and replace the legislation in Congress. Leaders from thirty-four states and the District of Columbia responded to the poll. Eighteen states had a Republican governor at the time and 17 had a Democratic governor.
Twenty-one of the 35 responses, or 60 percent, cited challenges with Obamacare. Three of those 21 responses were from states with Democratic governors.
Respondents said that Obamacare shifted too much power to the federal government and that states should be given more flexibility to regulate and manage their insurance markets. They also said Obamacare increased the regulation burden on their states.
"The one-size-fits-all approach in Obamacare is failing our country—states must be empowered to be the epicenters of innovation," Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R.) said.
Respondents said health insurance costs were increasing because insurers are leaving the individual market, leaving consumers with limited access and choice. Others were concerned with increases in Medicaid enrollment and the sustainability of that program.
"Costs are skyrocketing, people have not been able to keep their doctors and many people have fewer doctors to choose from," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R.).
Governors and insurance commissioners were asked what reforms they thought should be implemented when repealing and replacing Obamacare. Respondents in 10 Republican states opposed the individual mandate, while 12 respondents said they would consider implementing high-risk pools and 15 respondents said they would consider keeping financial assistance, such as tax credits, for consumers.
While many governors and insurance commissioners cited problems with Obamacare, 29 of 35 respondents expressed caution or concern about repealing the law.
"The most frequently cited concerns are the potential for coverage losses, increased market flexibility, and loss of federal funding and increased costs for states," the report said. "Many respondents who support repeal but still express concerns suggest it is important for replacement to occur at the same time as repeal and for there to be adequate transition time to implement changes."