Mainstream media does catch up with issues if there's enough interest.
Public sentiment is malleable.
MSM is in the business of "eyeballs on screens" but the lag time is increasing, yes.
One thing that got people suddenly interested in Social Security cutbacks is realizing that care for dementia-plagued grandparents or palliative care parents devolves to them personally.
Can you afford your suddenly indigent relatives moving in with you?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolynrosenblatt/2012/03/24/a-startling-reality-your-aging-parent-runs-out-of-money/