Gallup: Worries About Health Care Now Top Issue in U.S.

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002237501

A new Gallup Poll released Tuesday reveals that the issue cited by most Americans as the one they worry about the most is "the availability and affordability of healthcare."

A total of 68% said they worried about this a "great deal." Coming in second is the social security system at 51%. Following close behind that were "availability and affordability of energy," drug use, crime and violence--and only then "the possibility of terrorist attacks in the U.S." (at 45%).

in a sign of the times, Americans grew more worried in the past year, Gallup said, in 11 of the 12 top issues. Health care, energy and immigration had grown the most in concern since 2005. Democrats were more worried pretty much across the board.

"The two most partisan issues are the economy and illegal immigration," Gallup reported. "The economy is relatively much more important to Democrats than to Republicans, while illegal immigration is relatively much more important to Republicans than Democrats." Many more Democrats are also concerned about health care. This suggests how each party will attempt to mobilize its base in 2006 campaigns.

[Warpy]

1. Jobs, Wages, Healthcare

These are the REAL issues in 2006 and 2008. If the Democrats allow themselves to be forced into the corner on immigration, they're even dumber than I think they are, and that's a lot.

[doc03]

6. Illegal immigration helps drive down all the above doesn't it?

[Warpy]

8. Yes, but attacking the symptom does nothing about the cause

which is CHEAP LABOR CONSERVATISM.

[BootinUp]

2. Healthcare

Definitely a big issue, but a dangerous one too. I don't think the support for single payer is quite there to make it the crowning issue in our party platform. We need to keep chipping away at the idea that private insurers are better than a government run system. Of course it seems so elementary to me.

[OKNancy]

3. I still like the John Edwards plan ( from 2004)

It makes sense to me. Lower medicare age to 55. That way the healthier 55-65 years old folks will pay in but not use as much, but also get needed preventative care.

Then the OKNancy idea is after it is shown that this works and is efficient, lower it to 45, then to cover everyone. :-) pie in the sky, I know.

[BootinUp]

4. That is a good way to start.

I guess I missed that, I'm such a blind Clark supporter. ;)

[gizmo1979]

5. More health savings accts

and people need to take ownership of the health.We don't need more and better healthcare just healthier people.That's what Shrub will say.In other words let them eat cake!

[goforit]

7. Socialized medicine for all.

[area51]

9. "Socialized medicine for all."

Hear, hear. Universal healthcare would be a wise use of our tax dollars. Universal healthcare would mean illnesses would be stopped before they got to the later or deadly (& more expensive to treat) stage, and would lead to healthier, more productive workers. And the nazi party is all about "productive workers."

[rodeodance]

13. BINGO

[Omaha Steve]

10. Clinton tried and ins companies and Reps stopped him

He had the right idea well ahead of the time!

[lovuian]

11. Universal Healthcare... Nobody should have to worry about

being taken care of if they are ill... We spent trillions on Iraq and not on our sick children elderly and disabled...

Our Government dollars are not going to its people but going in Halliburton's pockets...
Pharmaceuticals Healthcare Insurance Nursing Homes Equipment companies and Hospitals all have to get a grip that increases of 27% are not sustainable for an American

There has to be some controls this is out of control and Americans are paying large amounts of money for terrible care...

[rodeodance]

12. i would have said at the top also if they would have asked me.

[rodeodance]

14. what the heck are the Dems waiting for>