Gallup Poll: Obamacare Approval Rating Inches Up

Skepticism about President Barack Obama's healthcare law appears to be thawing despite colossal glitches that marred its rollout, a Gallup poll found on Wednesday.

The survey shows that 45 percent now approve of Obamacare, compared with 41 percent in August, while 50 percent disapprove, up 1 percentage point from August.

"Americans' attitudes about the Affordable Care Act remain more negative than positive, although slightly less so than in August, prior to the government shutdown," the Gallup analysis said, adding that "the poor performance of the health exchange sites may not at this point be negatively affecting Americans' views . . . overall."

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"The law remains one of the most polarizing issues Gallup has measured, with more than eight in 10 Democrats approving while more than eight in 10 Republicans disapprove," the Gallup analysis said.

Gallup surveyed more than 1,500 adults between Oct. 18 and Oct. 20, amid attention on  technical problems with the health insurance exchange website.

The poll came as Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Newsmax that Americans should prepare to get hit with expensive premiums and deductibles as Obamacare unfolds in the coming months.

The biggest critics of Obamacare remain Republicans; the survey found that 86 percent disapprove of the health care law. Democrats' approval has risen to 83 percent, up 12 percentage points since August.

Younger Americans also appear to be more positive toward the healthcare law. Young people ages 18 to 29 are more likely than middle-aged and older Americans to approve of Obamacare.