Expect stories this weekend in the MSM with headlines like "Americans support government price negotiations for Medicare."
That's going to be the talking point most reporters will swallow from the new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Drugs from Canada too! Quelle surprise.
But here's the real story, buried at the end of the report:
When asked what overall message about the drug benefit they would "send to Washington," 12 percent of seniors said the benefit is working well and no real changes are needed, while 41 percent said it could be improved with some minor changes. Meanwhile, 28 percent said it's not working well and needs major changes. Ten percent said the program should be repealed.
Here's how I'd cume that: 53% say Part D needs some minor changes. 28% say "big changes." 10% say "ditch it."
But the "headline" finding of the report says that about 85 percent of seniors want to let the government use its buying power to negotiate drug prices, including 65 percent who said they strongly favor such negotiations.
It's all in the way you phrase the question.
Remember: Research is like a bikini. What it shows you is interesting, but what it conceals is essential.
Who do you think has the mandate?
And what do you think Robert Pear will write? Hmm.
That's going to be the talking point most reporters will swallow from the new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Drugs from Canada too! Quelle surprise.
But here's the real story, buried at the end of the report:
When asked what overall message about the drug benefit they would "send to Washington," 12 percent of seniors said the benefit is working well and no real changes are needed, while 41 percent said it could be improved with some minor changes. Meanwhile, 28 percent said it's not working well and needs major changes. Ten percent said the program should be repealed.
Here's how I'd cume that: 53% say Part D needs some minor changes. 28% say "big changes." 10% say "ditch it."
But the "headline" finding of the report says that about 85 percent of seniors want to let the government use its buying power to negotiate drug prices, including 65 percent who said they strongly favor such negotiations.
It's all in the way you phrase the question.
Remember: Research is like a bikini. What it shows you is interesting, but what it conceals is essential.
Who do you think has the mandate?
And what do you think Robert Pear will write? Hmm.
