When asked in an open-ended question to name the most important problem for the government to address, health care ranks second (22%) behind war and foreign policy issues (28%) as the top priority. The economy ranks third, with one in five (20%) adults naming it as the most important problem for the government to address.

Following intense debate in Washington over Social Security reform, the share of adults who named Social Security as the most important problem for government to address rose to virtually tie for first place February 2005. Currently, Social Security ranks fifth, with just 8% naming it as the top priority.

When asked specifically about the most important health care problem for the government to address, responses related to the cost of health care have historically been highest on the list. In August 2005, health care costs were mentioned by nearly four in ten adults (39%). Access to care and insurance ranks second (23%, including 11% who name universal coverage), followed by senior citizens' issues (13%) and specific medical conditions (12%).

In addition to open-ended questions, we also ask the public how important it is for the President and Congress to deal with several specific health care issues. In each case, a majority of adults say the specific issue is “very important”. However, when asked to choose the most important issue, around one-quarter each say increasing the number of insured Americans (26%), and lowering the cost of health care and insurance (25%). Lowering the cost of prescription drugs ranks third with 15% naming it as the top priority.

Smaller shares say reducing medical errors (8%), reforming the Medicaid system (7%), reforming the medical malpractice system (6%), or assuring the smooth implementation of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit (2%) is the top health priority.

Views on the most important health issue for the government to address vary among different demographic groups. Seniors are more likely than younger adults to say lowering the cost of prescription drugs is the most important issue for the President and Congress to deal with. Nearly one-quarter of seniors (23%) name this issue, compared with about one in seven adults under 65 years (14% of ages 18-29, 13% of ages 30-49, and 14% of ages 50-64).

Democrats (34%) are more likely than Republicans (16%) and Independents (26%) to say that increasing the number of Americans covered by health insurance is the most important health issue for the President and Congress to address.