The public believes that a number of factors are important causes of rising health care costs. More than seven in ten (71%) believe high profits made by drug and insurance companies are “very important” contributors to rising prices. Nearly six in ten say the number of malpractice lawsuits (58%) and the amount of greed and waste in the health care system (59%) are “very important” factors. Nearly half believe the aging of the population (50%) and the use of expensive, high-tech medical equipment and drugs (46%) are similarly important.

When forced to choose the most important factor contributing to rising health care costs, more than a third (35%) of adults cite high profits made by drug companies and insurance companies. The next most commonly identified reasons are the number of malpractice lawsuits (19%) and the amount of greed and waste that occurs in the health care system (14%).