UNDERSTANDING THE MANAGED CARE BACKLASH

This paper examines the depth and breadth of the public backlash again st managed care and the reasons for it. We conclude that the backlash is real and influenced by at least two principal factors: (1) A signif icant proportion of Americans report problems with managed care plans; and (2) the public perceives threatening and dramatic events in manag ed care that have been experienced by just a few. In addition, public concern is driven by fear that regardless of how well their plans perf orm today, care might not be available or paid for when they are very sick.