Poll: Opponents of Reform Are Less Educated

Though opposition to President Obama's health care reform efforts continues to rise, a new poll has found that those Americans against the proposals for reform have less formal education and actually agree with most of the underlying components of the legislation. A new Harris Interactive survey of over 2,500 adults conducted in late January confirmed the increasing dissatisfaction with the proposals, which grew from 41 percent in November to 49 percent in January (prior to the State of the Union address).

However, support for reform is directly proportional with the amount of education completed by the participants. A majority of those with no college education (51 percent) or some college education but no degree (also 51 percent) oppose the measures, while college graduates are evenly split 49 to 49 percent. The most educated group, those with postgraduate degrees, are in favor of the changes by a strong majority of 61 percent.

While you ponder that, consider that the survey also found widespread support for eight out of nine of the basic goals of reform that are reflected in either the House or the Senate version of the bills, or both.

Specifically, strong majorities were found for:

• Making costs and quality more transparent to patients (87 percent approval)
• Simplified administration of health care financing (76 percent)
• Trying new ways to reimburse physicians and hospitals (75 percent)
• Creation of an insurance exchange (73 percent)
• No health insurance coverage for illegal immigrants (67 percent)
• Letting parents keep their kids on their plans until age 25 or 26 (65 percent)
• Expanding Medicaid to reach more low income families (59 percent)
• A "public option" for those with no other insurance (54 percent)

The one component not favored, with 67 percent disapproval, is a mandate that would require everyone to have health insurance.

So, why would a growing majority of Americans agree with the parts but oppose the whole? What do the most educated population understand that is not being communicated to everyone else? Like most public policy matters, the devil is in the details. It takes time and energy to break down these very complex frameworks before reaching a conclusion. The Obama administration and other pro-reform groups might take this message as a call for a communications strategy shift. Sell the individual features of the plan in a way that all Americans can grasp and find value for themselves. There's still time for a few all-nighters before Obama's televised health care summit on Feb. 25.

Photo credit: Tobyotter