2008 Poll Shows Health Care Costs Add Significantly to Economic Woes

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s latest tracking poll shows growing public concern over health costs and the economy. Based on a nationally representative random sample of 2,003 adults:

• 25% of Americans are having serious problems paying for health care and insurance costs;

• 51% think making health care more affordable should be the top priority;

• 47% say that cost shifting and increased costs for individuals is their greatest concern;

• 83% believe that the government can successfully address cost issues;

• 66% believe that reducing fraud and waste and 41% believe that providing more appropriate care will do “a lot” to lower health care costs;

• Only 17% would prefer to move to an individual based insurance system, if the cost were the same.

Read the Poll