Mad over Healthcare Reform Myths

Another psychology lesson for health care reform:

When people get really worked up over far-fetched ideas, often the worst thing one can do is to point out that what they’re upset or angry about isn’t real. It just pisses them off more…

In the health care reform debate, myths abound:

Nearly half of Americans believe that a proposed overhaul of the health care system means the government will decide when to stop providing medical treatment to senior citizens, according to the latest polling by NBC News released this evening.

Some 45% said they believe the plan is likely to include such a provision that has become known as “death panels” despite bipartisan efforts by President Barack Obama and the provision’s author, Republican Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson to dispel the idea. (Isakson, in a recent interview with the Washington Post called the confusion “nuts.”)…

The AARP tries to “intervene”:

There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.

All of the health care reform plans currently being debated in Congress would ensure that you and your doctor are the ones making decisions about your health. The majority of working Americans will continue to receive their health care through their employer. In addition, health care reform will strengthen Medicare by eliminating billions of dollars in waste while lowering prescription drug prices.

Throughout the debate on how to fix what’s broken about our health care system, AARP pledges to help you cut through the noise and find the facts about what health care reform means for you and your family. When we see special interests using scare tactics, we’ll make sure you’re given the facts so you can make informed decisions about health care reform…

And this is the thanks they get:

(CBS) CBS News has learned that up to 60,000 people have cancelled their AARP memberships since July 1, angered over the group’s position on health care.

Elaine Guardiani has been with AARP for 14 years, and said, “I’m extremely disappointed in AARP.”

Retired nurse Dale Anderson has 12 years with AARP and said, “I don’t wanna be connected with AARP.”

Many are switching to the American Seniors Association, a group that calls itself the conservative alternative…

Obviously, honesty isn’t always the best policy if you care about making money. The myths make for “mad members,” and while you might try to take the membership out of the madness, you often can’t take the mad out of (much of) the membership.

Comments

[Leftfield:]

Common sense doesn't exist in the major alternatives here. The present system is great for a shrinking number of those who are well-served. But is destructive to the economy and is unsustainable.
The government alternative, though, is appalling. While presented as the thinking person's choice because the present situation is so bad for so many, if you REALLY think you will see yet another oppressive government takeover which will breed another horrible system.
There is no attempt made by the major sides to give us a sensible reform that would use market forces for sanity. The public is once again used as a pawn by greedy interests who are content to see the situation worsen until we settle for one of their unacceptable schemes.

Aug 19 07:09 AM

[carlyt:]

The White House has been very patient with the stream of distortions and lies by Republicans. Time to move on and get it done. There is a related post at iamsoannoyed.com/?page...

Aug 19 08:07 AM

[Alan Young:]

The insurance industry is financing this misinformation campaign, with money they collect from policyholders, who can then see their coverage cancelled when they get sick. Talk about pulling the plug on grandma!

Time to carve out a tenth circle in Hell for these guys.

Of course, if people used a little rationality to offset their emotions, they wouldn't be sucked in to this madness. How can people say they like Medicare--which was attacked as "socialized medicine" when it was first enacted--and still be persuaded that letting government participate in the health insurance market is a threat to their lives???

Aug 19 08:31 AM

[dick streich:]

AARP is a liberal organization, with a liberal agenda, that does not care what its members think. I have tried on many occasions to get information on how policies are established, So far, no success.

Aug 19 09:00 AM

[TimF:]

The way the bill is currently written - all mumbo jumbo legal talk that goes in circles, no one can confidently deny any of these allegations. It currently is a lawyer's dream because it will cause years of litigation and court battles over the interpretation of it's nonsense.
AS it is, whomever the authors are should be embarrased to have their name on a 1000+ page pile of manure.
Start over and write something clear and concise that people can honestly debate.

Aug 19 09:20 AM

[TimF:]

The way the bill is written today, whomever the authors are should be embarrased by this. A 5th grader could do better. It's all mumbo jumbo legal talk that is so loosely written the courts will spend years interpreting it if this would pass.
Start over, write something everyone can understand, keep it under 50 pages so everyone will read it. Then we can have a reasonable debate. Until then, this topic should be dead.

Aug 19 09:24 AM

[John Lounsbury:]

Diane - - -

I was somewhat more wordy in discussing the anger issue in an article here on SA today. One quote from there: "It is just not intellectually honest to headline a topic with a sound bite and leave it there. Many people shouting at town hall meetings (and elsewhere) have the sound bite down pat. They just don't have much else and they are too angry to consider any additional information." From seekingalpha.com/artic...

Discussion and debate is what is desperately needed. Anger interferes with both. As you point out, there are special interest groups (commercial and political) that want to block discussion and debate by feeding anger. Nothing is new here. This has been our political process from before the revolution. And throughout our history there have been a large number of variations in outcomes.

To paraphrase you (sort of), if you take the madness out of America would you really take America out of the madness?

Aug 19 12:35 PM

[Big Bubbette:]

Actually AARP is a socialist organization. There is an alternative for those that do not want Obamacare:
www.americanseniors.org/

Aug 22 07:03 PM