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

March 29, 2006

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Tue, 28 Mar 2006 11:56:46 -0800 (PST)

By E & P Staff

Published: March 28, 2006 12:30 PM ET

NEW YORK 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.

Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,000 national adults,

aged 18 and older, conducted March 13-16, 2006.

E & P Staff (letters)

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