Americans Pinpoint Health Care as Top Legislative Concern

August 30, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The only issue ahead of health care that Americans say Congress should address is U.S. involvement in Iraq, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey found.

More than one quarter (27%) of the approximately 1,500 adults surveyed ranked health care as the second most important issue for legislators to address, followed by the economy (16%) and immigration (13%).

While both Democrats and Republicans see health care as a top issue, health care rises sharply for Democrats and sits at the number two issue for Republicans, just ahead of terrorism.

Kaiser suspects that the current mortgage crisis may figure into Americans’ concerns the next time the poll is taken, according to the group.

Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike all agree that Iraq and health care are the top two issues they expect presidential candidates to talk about.

For Democrats, the same percentage mentions Iraq (42%) as health care (42%). Among Republicans, 32% cite Iraq as the most important issue, with health care coming in second at 21%, followed by terrorism at 16% and immigration and the economy, both at 15%.

Full results are available online at http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_pomr083007pkg.cfm .

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