We love innovative ways to educate. Particularly around hairy concepts like health care reform. Check out two we’ve recently discovered.
- New graphic novel. Whoever thought a comic book approach to explaining complex topics was a good idea? (This will age me, but … ) My mind jumps to this favorite School House Rock video—covering just one of many civic lessons. Now comes Jonathan Gruber’s new graphic novel Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It’s Necessary, How It Works. Some may appreciate that it doesn’t come with a catchy tune (that you just can’t get out of your head!).
- Cartoon Americans. The Kaiser Family Foundation has created profiles of insured and uninsured people plus small and large employers to help explain the impact of the ACA. We loved their Main Street video produced just after the law was passed.
Anyone? Anyone? Who understands the Accountable Care Act?
Why are these kinds of educational tools so important? As of a December Kaiser Family Foundation poll, the country remains pretty evenly split in their opinion of the law, with 41 percent having a favorable view compared to 43 percent unfavorable. That’s been a pretty consistent split, other than a downward dip in a similar October poll when public opinion was much more negative. But the pollsters tried another tactic—explaining it. And different framing—positive and negative—significantly swayed a person’s opinion of the law.
How the polls shake out is not very relevant to you. What is relevant are employees who are clear on how the Affordable Care Act impacts the benefits you provide. As the October dip underscores, opinions can shift. With candidate debates, primaries and the media coverage taking top headlines, we’re likely to see lots of Americans continue to be confused. And you’re on the hook for explaining the upcoming changes to W-2s, so tools like this can help reinforce the basic framework of health care reform that you’ve already communicated.
Want more info about using new communication methods? Download our free Social Media Poster and other resources here.
