The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74888

Bill McInturff, Partner, Public Opinion Strategies, 277 S. Washington St., Suite 320, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-836-7655, donna.wright@apha.org

When health insurance coverage was limited to a relative few, the public was only peripherally concerned about health insurance. After World War II when health insurance became increasingly prominent fringe benefit for the employed, its status in public opinion rose significantly. At the same time, the “safety net” institutions that traditionally provided health care for the poor began to disappear. Now, the many deficiencies of health coverage have become apparent and public opinion has shifted to that of concern for what it portends.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the result of historic and current public opinion polls on the issue of the uninsured and discern the trends in these poll results.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.