Washington D.C. Elites Believe Controlling Healthcare Costs Ranks More Important than Expanding Coverage, Survey Finds

- Majority Rejects Complete Overhaul, Instead Suggests Improvements to Current
System -
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
While Washington, D.C.-elites overwhelmingly support the need for national
healthcare reform, a majority believes that controlling the costs of healthcare
is more important than expanding coverage, according to a new survey released by
strategic communications firm Burson-Marsteller and research firm Penn, Schoen &
Berland (PSB). Overall, respondents agree that changes should make healthcare
more accessible to all Americans and that the government must work with the
private healthcare industry to meet these goals. The survey polled residents of
the Washington, D.C. metro area who have at least a college education, earn
$100,000 or more a year, read at least two major newspapers frequently and
follow political news closely.

"This survey of Washington, D.C.-elites provides clarity as to how the Capital`s
elites view these key healthcare issues amid the increasing debate," says Chris
Foster, Burson-Marsteller US Healthcare Chair. "Their opinions, as publicly
influential and successful citizens, suggest broader trends across the nation."

The study finds that healthcare reform remains closely tied to views about
economic recovery. For instance, 73 percent of respondents believe changes in
healthcare policy will stimulate the economy. Further, 70 percent of those
surveyed believe that current healthcare costs hurt American competitiveness
with other nations.

Yet, respondents are reluctant to sign on for a complete overhaul of healthcare,
and instead believe that the administration should focus on improving the
current system. They suggest wellness incentives and preventive service
offerings and improvements in technology should be used to reduce costs.

Some of the survey`s other key findings included:

* A slight majority of respondents (56 percent) believes that the large percent
of US GDP devoted to healthcare indicates that the system is broken and needs
reform, whereas 44 percent believe the figure reflects an the fact that the U.S.
has an advanced healthcare system.
* Democrats and Independents ranked healthcare reform first on importance for
the administration to address from a list of the key issues facing the Obama
administration, which excluded the economy. However, Republicans placed
healthcare reform sixth.
* Over two thirds of respondents who had heard about the healthcare reform issue
said what they heard has caused them to be more supportive of healthcare
reform.

About the Issues Study

PSB, in conjunction with Burson-Marsteller, surveyed 300 Washington, D.C. area
elites online from April 17 - 19, 2009. DC elites were defined as: "Respondents
who live in D.C. metro area, have at least a college education, earn $100,000 or
more a year, read at least two major newspapers frequently and rate themselves a
5+ on a scale of 1-9 of following political news."

About Burson-Marsteller

Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading
global public relations and communications firm. It provides clients with
strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public
relations, public affairs, advertising, and web-related services. The firm`s
seamless worldwide network consists of 57 wholly-owned offices and 46 affiliate
offices, together operating in 59 countries across six continents.
Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP
(NASDQ: WPPGY), one of the world`s leading communications services networks.

About Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates

Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, a unit of the WPP group (NASDAQ: WPPGY) is a
global research-based consultancy that specializes in messaging and
communications strategy for blue-chip political, corporate and entertainment
clients. We have over 30 years of experience in leveraging unique insights about
consumer opinion to provide clients with a competitive advantage - what we call
Winning Knowledge. PSB executes polling and message testing services for Fortune
100 corporations and has helped elect more than 30 presidents and prime
ministers around the world. More information is available at
www.psbresearch.com.

Burson-Marsteller
Paul Cordasco, 212-614-4522
Paul.Cordasco@BM.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009