Liking the Pieces, Not the Package: Contradictions in Public Opinion During Health Reform
Public opinion played a prominent role during the recent health care reform debate. In a published Health Affairs article, Kaiser researchers examine past and present polling and show that opinion tracked with historic patterns and was relatively stable, even if the contentious public debate suggested a volatile public mood in 2009 and 2010.
Going forward, the public will begin reacting to reform implementation, primarily by judging it in terms of their perceptions of and experiences with what the new law does and does not do for people. These opinions could in turn influence implementation or future legislation.