ask me about health reform
TRANSCRIPT
A Public Education Campaign to Support Health Care Reform Implementation in California
Our Presentation Prologue: Evolution of
a Public Discussion
Polling: California – Where We Are Now
Goal: A Stronger Constituency for Better Health Care
Campaign: “Ask Me About Health Care Reform”
Fit: Where Do You/Does Your Organization Fit
Evolution of Public Discussion
Evolution of Public Discussion
Health Reform was 2008 campaign promise, 2009 priority, 2010 passage
Congressional process / partisan battle focus
Tea Party protests
Public doubt
Obama focuses
Law Passes
California Voters and Health Care Reform: Current Attitudes and Strategic Implications
Survey Conducted: April 8-12, 2010
800 Californians Surveyed; 200 Oversample of DTS Voters
Survey conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) - Public Opinion Research & Strategy
6Q5.
Total Support
49%
TotalOppose
42%
Initially, a plurality of Californians support reform.
In general, do you support or oppose the new healthcare law/health reform plan recently approved by Congress and signed by the President?
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First Ask: Initial Support for Reform by Party
5. In general, do you support or oppose the new healthcare law/health reform plan recently approved by Congress and signed by the President?
83%
36%
14%
49%
76% 15%
The fundamental divisions on the issue are partisan.
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A direct benefit to their family is only perceived by:
50% of those who have had trouble paying for health care in the past three years;
49% of those who have been denied coverage for a pre-existing condition;
48% of those who lack coverage today;
41% of those in households where a member has lacked coverage at some point in the past three years;
36% of those with household incomes under $60,000 per year; and
35% of those with no more than a high school education.
Many groups that reform will help do not initially see a direct benefit to their families.
5/12/16. In general, do you support or oppose the new healthcare law/health reform plan recently approved by Congress and signed by the President?
Detailing provisions of reform leads to a significant increase in support
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Voters can be divided into three groups, based on the consistency of their support for reform in the four support/oppose questions in the survey:
Consistent supporters (47% of the electorate): indicated that they support reform each of the four times they were asked;
Consistent opponents (38% of the electorate): indicated that they would oppose reform each of the four times they were asked;
Swing voters (15% of the electorate): shifted positions (in any direction) over the course of the survey, or remained consistently undecided.
Fully 85% of voters are dug in to positions of support or opposition – as is the case on many contentious policy issues.
The Persuadables
Ideology – Independent, Moderate
The Gainers – Most notably the uninsured
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7% Shift to Support Reform
(Positive Movers)
Lack Health Insurance Coverage
Sacramento/Rural Northern California
DTS/Other Men
Latinos
DTS/Other 18-49
Under Age 30
High School Education or Less
Household Income Under $60K
DTS/Other
Men Age 18-49
Work as a Health Care Provider
Democrat 18-49
Groups that shift to support reform over the course of the survey that respond to information.
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Provisions of the Law
14
(% Rating Each Item a 6/7 on 7-Point Support Scale)
Prohibits insurance companies from dropping people’s health insurance when they get sick
Prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions
Allows young people to stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26
Allows individuals and small businesses to choose from the same health insurance plans offered to members of Congress
Cuts waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and ensures that funds go toward improving care
Reduces overuse of emergency rooms by ensuring that everyone has coverage and can go to their own doctors
Gives seniors a rebate for some prescription drug costs not covered by Medicare
Three out of five Californians offer strong support for several provisions of the law.
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Key Poll Conclusions and Lessons
Poll Conclusions
Support today for health care reform is greater in California than many other regions nationally but still a highly partisan issue.
Receiving information about health care reform content builds and intensifies support among all Californians regardless of party or “decline-to-state” registration.
Californians who are self-described moderates in political outlook and independent voters who register “decline-to-state” are particularly responsive to information about health care reform’s provisions, as are Californians who would most directly benefit from health care reform.
Lessons from the Poll
First, explain what’s in the law.
Benefits
Most Popular
No more dropping people when they’re sick
No more denials for pre-existing conditions
Young adults stay on plan
Listener/Audience
Lessons from the Poll
Second, show how reform will:
Benefits
And,
Give people peace of mind
Strengthen their relationship with their doctor
Boost Prevention
Conclusions
Polling shows that a public education campaign on health reform benefits is a great investment to build support and make implementation a success.
A Stronger Health Base for Better
Health Care
Building a Stronger Health Base
High-Profile Moment
Success of Implementation Key
Health Base Grows
New Directions for Health
New Direction for California’s Health
The California Endowment is launching a public education campaign to inform Californians on the benefits of health care reform.
We understand that the passage of health care reform is a starting point, not a finish line.
Join us to educate and engage Californians and empower a “health base” to transform people’s lives through better health care and provide the peace of mind that comes with good health.
Where Do You Fit?
Where Do You Fit?
Ask Me
About the
New Health
Care Law
Talking, Writing
Supporting Reform
Educating Members
Community Outreach
Resources
Give Health Care to a GraduateSend a gift of health care coverage to a graduate. Let them know how the new health care bill will protect them.
The Three Things To Remember
Support California legislation to implement reform so its successful.
Educate “persuadables” (moderates and people who will gain benefits) on the benefits of reform.
Keep in mind the most popular benefits:
No more dropping people when they’re sick
No more denials for pre-existing conditions
Young adults stay on parents’ plan
Resources
Very soon: newdirectionshealth.org
Melissa Daar, Full Court Press, Oakland, CA
510-550-8170
Messages That Work
65%
60%
Ranked by % Very Convincing
13. Here are some statements from people who support the new healthcare law approved by Congress and the President. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to support the plan. *Split Sample
Messages stressing the broad distributionof benefits and insurance company reforms
are generally most compelling.
The new healthcare law prevents insurance companies from getting in between individuals and their doctors. It keeps
insurance companies from dropping coverage when you or someone in your family gets sick. And it will mean more
information is available so doctors can provide better treatment and help people stay healthy.
Everyone will benefit from healthcare reform, whether they have health insurance today or not. The new healthcare law
guarantees coverage for everyone, regardless of pre-existing conditions, while helping to make insurance affordable for low-
and moderate-income people. And people who have insurance today can keep their current coverage, and will benefit from
lower costs and higher quality.
63%
61%
13. Here are some statements from people who support the new healthcare law approved by Congress and the President. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to support the plan. *Split Sample
Continued
61%
Health reform provides a safety net to protect Californians so that getting sick or losing a job doesn’t mean financial ruin. And it
establishes the principle that when you get sick, you have a community there to help you get back on your feet.
Our healthcare system is broken and needs fixing. The new healthcare law keeps our current private system of care, but
improves it – putting government in a stronger position to enforce laws that make health insurance more affordable and
available.
Healthcare costs have been going up and up while insurance covers less and less. This health reform law is a step in the right
direction to get runaway healthcare costs under control. It ensures more competition among healthcare plans, eliminates
waste in the healthcare system, and targets healthcare dollars to provide better care.
59%
61%
13. Here are some statements from people who support the new healthcare law approved by Congress and the President. Please tell me whether you find it very convincing, somewhat convincing, or not convincing as a reason to support the plan. *Split Sample
Continued
61%
This law provides peace of mind and security for all Californians. For the first time, there are limits on how much
people have to spend for their healthcare. Nobody has to worry about losing their house or going bankrupt if they or someone
they love gets sick.
The healthcare reform law will help California seniors get better care. It will close the “doughnut hole” in Medicare, helping
seniors get the prescription drugs they need. And it will help eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare –focusing dollars
on giving California seniors the care they need and deserve.
The new healthcare law breaks new ground by promoting healthy behaviors, reducing the risk of serious health
problems and the costs that go with them. It eliminates co-pays for preventive care like cancer screenings and promotes healthy living through worksite wellness programs, community
grants to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity and requirements for restaurants to provide nutrition information
on their menus.