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Prospects for single payer coverage after Harry and Louise.
James H Swan1, R L Goldsteen, K Goldsteen
1Department of Public Health Sciences, Wichita State University, KS 67260-0152, USA. swan@chp.twsu.edu
Journal of Health & Social Policy
|July 25, 2003
Summary
The Harry and Louise media campaign may have unintentionally boosted public support for single-payer health coverage by decreasing support for mainstream health reform in Oklahoma. This highlights media
Area of Science:
- Health policy analysis
- Media effects research
- Public opinion studies
Background:
- The Harry and Louise media campaign significantly influenced public discourse on health reform.
- Understanding indirect media effects is crucial for policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the indirect influence of the Harry and Louise media campaign on public support for single-payer health coverage.
- To investigate this influence within a conservative state context.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-year statewide public opinion survey data (1992-1994) from Oklahoma.
- Employed a two-stage structural-equation model to analyze media campaign data and public opinion.
- Tested the hypothesis of inverse relationship between support for single payer and mainstream health reform.
Main Results:
- Findings supported the hypothesis that the campaign inversely affected support for single-payer health coverage.
- Evidence suggests that decreased support for mainstream reform correlated with increased support for single payer.
- This occurred despite a general positive correlation between overall health reform support and single-payer support.
Conclusions:
- The Harry and Louise campaign may have inadvertently increased support for single-payer health coverage.
- Future health reform proponents must consider the strategic use of media technologies.
- Awareness of potential unintended consequences of media campaigns is essential for policy planning.