U.S. voters oppose proposed healthcare reform fearing loss of control

Sep 23 2009

U.S. voters and physicians are opposed to the Obama administration’s proposed healthcare reform because they perceive a loss of control and choice, reports a new study conducted by SenseUs®, a polling system that measures emotion response.

However, voters and physicians are not vehemently opposed to universal healthcare—a quarter of the physicians and 20 percent of voters expressed “enthusiasm”, while the majority of both segments skewed positively for the idea.

“The study reveals that the administration's proposal has created emotional barriers, “fear and stress” as voters and physicians feel that the plan will take away their control and choice. More than cost and process, Obama needs to propose a method for assuring patients and physicians that they will have control ” states Dr. Jon Morris, the president AdSAM® and University of Florida professor. SenseUs used the AdSAM measure to assess the feelings of the physicians and the voting public.

Physicians who felt “alarmed” perceive that they will have their hands tied by the government and patient care will suffer. Likewise, voters feeling “stressed” and “afraid” expect that they will lose their voice and ability to control their treatment, and that the quality of care they receive will decrease.

This desire for empowerment is further emphasized by the enthusiastic support of both groups in allowing patients to have control over all decisions regarding major medical treatment.

In the study, voters and physicians acknowledged that there are opportunities to improve health insurance companies and the healthcare system in general. Health insurance companies tend to “aggravate” or emotionally drain the respondent groups. The two groups felt “uncertain” and “stressed” about the current U.S. healthcare system.

The threat of the proposed reform has caused some voters to feel more satisfied with the current healthcare situation than they did previously. Since September 2007, the number of “sullen” feelings for the current state of healthcare expressed by Republicans has decreased by 13 percent and positive feelings have increased considerably. In the same period, “troubled” feelings have increased in Democrats, suggesting added frustration with the U.S. healthcare system.