Gauging Public Opinion

January is consumed with introspection: by government officials on the state of their constituencies, institutions on their profit picture, and individuals on how to broaden their personal horizons - or, perhaps, narrow their girth.

The point of all the review and resolution is the same as it has always been: to figure out what's important to us and then try to improve upon it.

Americans are constantly being asked what they think of this or that, on the telephone, in the mail, before and after voting, in high school reunion questionnaires, and on surveys we are asked to complete after a hotel stay, a meal, a seminar, or even as a patient at the local hospital.

This week, a wholly new opinion-taking venue emerged - a reliable one, too. It is the East Hampton Cinema, where at least three recent audiences, and we wager many more, cast votes for a better health care system.

The ballots were unconventional, and spontaneous. Indeed, they were cheers, hoots, and vigorous applause that followed Helen Hunt's line in "As Good As It Gets" that went, "Those f--ing H.M.O. b---d pieces of s-t!"

Ms. Hunt plays the single mother of a young boy with life-threatening asthma whose managed-care company allows him only incomplete testing and inadequate treatment at a city hospital emergency room and clinic. Not until a privately paid (we won't reveal how) specialist takes over, making a house call no less, does the boy get to have a life. And Ms. Hunt gets to get mad.

Listen up, Oxford, Aetna, Vytra, Empire, et al. It sounds to us as though folks don't want to take it anymore.

Oh, and Mr. Gallup? You might want to chuck those forms and phone calls and go to a movie tonight.