We need to change the language of the health care reform debate, or we will lose the chance for meaningful reform. We need to use words the public uses, or the reform debate will remain trapped by the two opposing forces of public vs. private. That is a Beltway frame, not the public's concerns.

Sure the public cares about costs, but they also care about accountability, responsibility, choice, fair play and efficiency. InTheirVoices.pdf

We have spent six years working in the field. We know the public will not move unless they think their concerns have been heard. They will only believe they have been heard if we echo their concerns back to them in their own language.

Remaining mired in single payer/public insurance vs. marketplace, or slinging accusations of "socialized medicine" will only turn the public off when it comes to reform. That fight erodes the areas of consensus and common ground that now exist. We need to build on that common ground with new language, otherwise, I fear, we will watch reform die still born, because we did not nurture a positive vision.

Cheers and more later.

-Kathleen

Greetings!

Sunday's New York Times led with news that Obama is taking the lead on health care.

 external-link

This is wonderful news because we need to bring to the health care reform debate the same clarity and integrity Obama brought to his presidential campaign: change and hope and vision of a positive future.

Changing the health care system will be a battle for the hearts and minds of the American public. If we are to win their hearts and minds the public will have to believe in their hearts of hearts that their wishes have been heard.

That's why we put the report in their words.

 external-link

No other group in the country has been asking the American public what they want and value in a health care system. We have been doing that for over five years. We have valid data:

• We held a contest
• Worked on messaging and public will building
• Sponsored editorial series and town hall meetings
• Tested values and principles with market research surveys
• Partnered with other nonpartisan nonprofits

We ask you now to send our report to the White House, your senator and representative. Just copy and paste it into an e-mail.

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper, urging them to focus on reform by using the key values in our report: ACT (affordable, accountable, accessible, choice, equity, efficiency and transparency/information).

If we can build reform around these values, we can cut across party lines and industry stakeholders and build a meaningful, sustainable health care system.

So, please share this information and ACT now!

-Kathleen