Obviously, the job of changing health care in a country with such a large population is difficult, especially when we consider the growing divide between the haves -those Americans satisfied with the coverage they pay for or receive from employers - and the have-nots – many remain uninsured.

And while this debate is certainly a necessary one that has rightfully generated heated discussion, the way it’s been framed by opponents and proponents alike, is the aspect I find deserving of the most attention.

Those against the current plan in the House have used buzzwords like “rationed care” to ignite firestorms of popular dissent during town hall style gatherings led by representatives of the plan, and have used the blogosphere, social media, and traditional media to spread dissent.

Which has prompted President Obama to embark on a PR crusade to ensure that the facts of the plan don’t get skewed by the opposition’s campaign. But those on the left have also been guilty of manipulating certain facets of the plan.

The Huffington Post reported today on a poll conducted by SurveyUSA, who receives support from the progressive website Move On, a major proponent of current health care legislation, which “puts support for a public option at a robust 77 percent, one percentage point higher than where it stood in June.” The spin on this poll, released today, was that “more than three out of every four Americans feel it is important to have a “choice” between a government-run health care insurance option and private coverage.” However, when the word “choice” was dropped from the statement, the results were extremely different.

In fact, “earlier in the week, after pollsters for NBC dropped the word “choice” from their question on a public option, they found that only 43 percent of the public were in favor of creating a public health care plan administered by the federal government that would compete directly with private health insurance companies.”

In a debate where the baseline knowledge of the issue is already slim, it is clear that both sides have used their own “interpretation” of polls, town halls and media coverage to sway public opinion on the topic. And if the government’s role is still about working for the greater good, then this is certainly no way to achieve a consensus, particularly on an issue as vital as health care solution.

[image via sophiea]