Assessment of a Program of Public Information on Health Care Reform, 1992-1993: [Wichita, Kansas, and Des Moines, Iowa]

The purpose of this data collection was to assess the impact on public opinion of an informational program on health care reform in the United States. This educational campaign, designed and carried out by the Public Agenda Foundation with the cooperation of various media and community organizations, was intended to inform the public in targeted communities about the condition of the United States health care system, particularly regarding cost and accessibility of health care, and various reform initiatives being debated by policymakers. A pre- and post-treatment survey design with controls was used. Surveys were conducted in Wichita, Kansas (the treatment community) before and after the program was administered in that city. Parallel surveys were conducted in Des Moines, Iowa (the control community), where the program was not introduced. In both cities, respondents were asked their opinions about the cost of health care, access to health care, and health care reform, including willingness to pay more taxes for health care. In addition, respondents were queried about the status of health insurance coverage for themselves and their families, and how satisfied they were with the health care services that they and their families had received in the last few years. The surveys also solicited opinions concerning other issues, such as crime and drug abuse, the economy and unemployment, race relations, the quality of public school education, pollution and the environment, alcoholism, and homelessness. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, marital status, education, employment, and family income.