During the Presidential campaign, the polls showed strong support for health reform. Indeed, polls going back to the Truman Administration showed strong support for universal coverage.
Polls have a weakness in that people often say what they think the pollsters want to hear. Or people say what they believe “enlighten” people are supposed to say – even if it doesn’t reflect their own beliefs.
Moreover, surveys are often worded in such a way to elicit a desired response because the sponsors want to influence public policy. What is often absent in the surveys on health reform is a discussion of the costs. For instance, people aren’t asked if they support universal coverage even if it means losing the coverage they currently have and paying much higher taxes.
On balance this is all welcome news.
During the Presidential campaign, the polls showed strong support for health reform. Indeed, polls going back to the Truman Administration showed strong support for universal coverage.
Polls have a weakness in that people often say what they think the pollsters want to hear. Or people say what they believe “enlighten” people are supposed to say – even if it doesn’t reflect their own beliefs.
Moreover, surveys are often worded in such a way to elicit a desired response because the sponsors want to influence public policy. What is often absent in the surveys on health reform is a discussion of the costs. For instance, people aren’t asked if they support universal coverage even if it means losing the coverage they currently have and paying much higher taxes.