Bloomberg Television viewers were subjected to an hourlong appearance by Gary Langer today on “In the Loop” with Stephanie Ruhle, Adam Johnson and Mike McKee. The wide-ranging conversation included discussion of public opinion on topics including the popularity of Pope Francis, the weather, the JPMorgan/Bernie Madoff settlement, consumer sentiment, presidential approval and what the heck polls are good for, anyway.

Blue Shield of California Foundation today released “Health Care in California: Leveling the Playing Field,” a report by Langer Research Associates focused on practical ways to narrow the difference in healthcare experiences between low- and higher-income Californians.

While a broad gap in healthcare satisfaction exists between these groups, the study finds that it is explained chiefly by the nature of patients’ relationships with their caregivers, not by their income levels. Innovative efforts to enhance patients’ connection and continuity with their care facilities and improve patient-provider relationships thus can attenuate or even eliminate the income gap in care experiences.

The report is the latest in an ongoing series for the Foundation produced by Langer Research since 2011. See the Foundation’s news release here, and the full report here.