Pro-Reform Lobbyists Redrafting Message as Polls Show Increasing Interest as Election Issue

Written by Leigh Page | August 23, 2010

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Lobbying groups backing healthcare reform are abandoning claims that the new law would reduce the deficit and are now stressing promises to "improve" the deficit, according to a report by the Hill.

A PowerPoint presentation by FamiliesUSA, now posted on the Hill's website, concedes Democratic-leaning groups like people under 40, non-college-educated women and Hispanic voters are leery of the new law.

"Keep claims small and credible; don’t overpromise or ‘spin’ what the law delivers," the presentation advises and suggests saying, "The law is not perfect, but it does good things and helps many people. Now we’ll work to improve it.”

Meanwhile, 83 percent of respondents in a recent CNN poll said healthcare was "extremely" or "very" important in determining whom they pick for Congress in the November election. That number represents a 14-point increase over poll results in January, but the earlier poll came before the law was passed and the question was phrased significantly differently, Politico reports.




Read more on healthcare reform:

- Most Physicians Didn't Agree With AMA on Proposed Health Reform Expansions

- Proposed ACO Rules Expected in December, With Dr. Berwick's Personal Input

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