Talking with Voters About the Uninsured

Publication Date: November 2001

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Ten focus groups were conducted with voters April through July 2001, prior to the tragedies of September 11th and broad public recognition of an economic slowdown. The report, Effective Language and Themes for Talking About the Uninsured, finds that at that time: voters were still surprised by basic facts about the uninsured; voters seemed ready for messages about the uninsured that focus on the health and financial consequences of being uninsured, especially those centered on personal vulnerability; voters responded strongly when uninsured children were discussed and felt strongly that all of the uninsured are deserving of health coverage. Voters found less persuasive the arguments that linked having health insurance to having equal opportunities such as those provided by the public education system or that suggested that the large numbers of uninsured people hurt the economy because they cannot be as productive at their jobs.