Source: Health Care Priorities: February 2004 (3)
Now, I’m going to read you some different health care issues. As I read each one, please tell me how important you think it is for the President and Congress to deal with this issue – very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important. (First,) how important is this issue…?
Among TOTAL Respondents
Very Important
Somewhat Important
Not too Important
Not at all Important
DK/Ref.
Increasing the number of Americans covered by health insurance
77
16
3
2
2
Lowering the cost of medical malpractice insurance for physicians
53
31
7
5
5
Lowering the cost of prescription drugs
82
13
2
2
1
Lowering the cost of health insurance
82
13
2
2
1
Improving the quality of medical care
70
20
5
3
2
Reducing racial disparities in medical care
58
22
5
8
7
Helping families with the cost of caring for elderly or disabled family members who need long-term help
75
21
2
1
1
Protecting the privacy of medical records
61
28
6
3
1
Which of the following issues you say are very important do you think is MOST important? ‡
Among TOTAL Respondents (Summary)
25% Lowering the cost of health insurance21 Increasing the number of Americans covered by health insurance15 Lowering the cost of prescription drugs11 Helping families with the cost of caring for elderly or disabled family members who need long-term help9 Improving the quality of medical care5 Lowering the cost of medical malpractice insurance for physicians3 Protecting the privacy of medical records1 Reducing racial disparities in medical care1 (VOL.) Other issue is most important6 (VOL.) All the same/equally important1 None Very Important1 Don’t know/Refused
‡ Also includes those who named only one issue as “very important”
Survey by Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Harvard School of Public Health. Methodology: Fieldwork conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates, February 5-8, 2004 and based on telephone interviews with a national adult sample of 1,201.