Healthcare Reform (un)Popularity Numbers

With today's Healthcare Summit stealing the headlines (at least until pundits bored of it), CNN released an extremely interesting set of poll numbers which suggest an otherwise simple point that politicians on both sides just don't seem to get; many Americans support healthcare reform and some form of legislation to accomplish it. Many even agree on certain actionable ideas. At the same time, most Americans disagree with the overall package being presented by Democrats.

These negative feelings probably have as much to do with the way the reform process has proceeded as well as perceptions that an untenable bill is being forced down people's throats as they do with the provisions themselves. Many blame this sentiment on the Republican Spin Machine, but for the sake of argument, let's assume that the average American is a thinking, considerate and intelligent animal not so impacted by talking heads that they have lost all powers of comprehension and logic.

Running with this assumption, perhaps the most logical thing for politicians to do would be to sift through these poll numbers, pick out the four or five most popular and sensible provisions, write an easy-to-understand bill, and pass it. How ironic it is that the two words I can think of after writing that last sentence are 'whimsical' and 'naive.' And that is arguably the problem with healthcare reform; logical solutions have been dispensed with for the sake of 'Rahm-ing' a comprehensive bill through, public opinion be damned. That is what the public has picked up on, and is the main reason many people oppose the overall bill. When vast majorities of Americans, far greater percentages than can be attributed to party lines, agree with certain reform ideas, yet only 25% like the packaging, this can be the only logical analysis.

Ultimately, it does seem that a comprehensive healthcare reform bill will be passed. Unfortunately, it may be too late to ensure that it is one that represents the will and interests of the people it is supposed to protect.