Poll reveals health care is top issue

Here are some interesting statistics from a recent Catholic Health Association poll [pdf]:

Providing quality and affordable health care tops concerns of likely voters

• 29% of likely voters believe “providing affordable quality health care” should receive the “greatest attention from the government at the present time.”
• 22% said “ensuring homeland security in the United States”
• 19% said “reducing government spending and taxes”
• 13% said “improving public education

39% of likely voters ranked “making health care more affordable” as the “most important goal for the country and should receive the greatest attention in reforming our health care system.”

Uninsured

82% of likely voters believe “there are moral and ethical reasons for making sure everyone in the U.S. has health care. Access to health care is a matter of human dignity.”71% of likely voters believe “the federal government should take financial responsibility to cover uninsured children,” and 51% “would be willing to pay more in taxes to help pay for health insurance for children.”

It appears health care is very much a “values” issue with voters.