1. Media portrayal of industry Consumer reaction
• Recent media coverage casts the healthcare industry in a negative • The percentage of reform supporters has continued to rise:
A March 2010 poll by USA Today and Gallup said that 49% said
light, evoking a stand-off between reformers and the industry:
that reform was a good thing rather than a bad one. A poll from a
couple weeks ago said that 55% of consumers are ready to give
• “In recent years, with the constant rate hikes, rescissions, and pre- reform a chance (Wall Street Journal/NBC poll).
existing condition denials, the American health insurance market has
been pretty much the same as the Wild West... It's as if the law (the
reform) finally came to town, slapping tough new restrictions on
the miscreants. But just like in the movies, the black hats don't easily
give up their bad old ways...The whole industry is in cahoots.”
HuffingtonPost
• MoveOn.org partnered with Funnyordie.com to create a sarcastic film
starring Will Ferrell and other famous actors about the real victims of
the reform: the CEOs of insurance companies.
• Many articles are talking about the brawls breaking out in Washington over
how to enforce the new reform provisions.
• Publications are endlessly publishing guides to explain reform provisions.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-mcneely/iin-the-public-interesti_b_583284.html, http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/05/speaking_of_health-care_reform.html, Forbes.com Week of May 17 - 23, 2010

2. How companies have reacted thus far
Government
Blue Shield Anthem Kaiser Aetna CIGNA HealthNet UnitedHealthcare Wellpoint
affected so far
Keeping young
adults on parent’s X X X X X
policy
Changing
rescissions X X X X
practice
Dropped plan to
X X
raise rates
Changing retiree
X
policy
Source: Washington Post
Week of May 17 - 23, 2010