PUBLIC OPINIONS TILT AGAINST PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

Drawing on hundreds of identically worded questions, this DataWatch fi nds that Americans now feel genuine concern for the health status of o ther people. This is a dramatic development in a country that has enco uraged individuals to isolate themselves. The second finding is that n ecessity has pushed Americans into grudgingly accepting government tax ation and regulation as the most feasible way to provide what is by no w an expected benefit: secure access to essential health care. Evidenc e of Americans' concerns and of the tilt away from laissez-faire commi tments challenges two of the most sacred conventional assumptions abou t public opinion in the United States.