Health care in the 2008 election: engaging the voters

For the first time since the early 1990s, the political environment in the United States offers the real possibility of fundamental reform of our fraying health care system. Although the current moment appears promising for reform, the opportunity could easily dissipate as it has in the past. In this paper, we offer seven observations on the key opportunities and pitfalls for health care reform advocates in this pivotal election year, based on our analysis of the current political dynamic and recent public opinion research.