Both sides of the debate are utilizing highly potent words: “government takeover,” “rationed medicine,” and “ticking time bomb.” Now, with little chance of movement until after the recess, politicians and stakeholders on both sides of the aisle have the month of August to continue stoking the heat on the healthcare reform debate.
As public relations professionals, we understand the importance of using language to drive awareness, change perceptions and influence behavior. Words – beyond their denotations – are the most basic of the tools we use.