Reply #6: "Don’t say “universal” health care." Herndon Alliance, Celinda Lake...

[slipslidingaway]

Campaign Desk — June 22, 2009 02:59 PM
What Journalists Can Learn from Celinda Lake
Wisdom from the Democrats’ wordsmith

By Trudy Lieberman

http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/what_journalists_can_learn_fro_1.php

"...In early June, a memo circulated from the Herndon Alliance and Lake Research Partners telling advocacy groups and other interested parties precisely what words they should use to counter Republican messages as health reform’s verbal war begins. The Herndon Alliance, which calls itself a non-partisan coalition, has partnered with some 200 organizations, including former single-payer advocates, think tanks, foundations, advocacy groups, businesses, and health care providers. The Alliance claims to “provide value-added services to partner organizations”—i.e., helping them develop communications strategies. Lake has worked closely with the Alliance in crafting messages its partners can use. She has counseled the Alliance’s partners against using the term “universal coverage.” Maybe that’s why it’s not talked about much anymore. Similarly, she tells activists never to say “Medicare for all.” Instead, they should say “choice of public and private plans.”....."


Posted on the Third Way site...

MESSAGE ADVICE—MAKING THE CASE FOR REFORM | JULY 2009

http://www.thirdway.org/data/product/file/234/Messaging_Health_Reform.pdf

"Phrases That Don’t Work

• Politically polarizing language such as talking about the Republicans’ failure to
address the health care crisis or using phrases like “unregulated greed” to
describe insurance companies (references to “excessive profits” are better).

• Don’t say “universal” health care. Talk about “quality, affordable health care for
all.” (But remember—quality, affordable health care for all is largely a message
about access.)

• Don’t compare the U.S. to other countries, or assert that America does not
provide quality health care. (i.e. Do not cite statistics that say the U.S. is 37th in
the world in health outcomes)...."