Health care costs are the top financial issue U.S. families face today, according to Gallup poll released Thursday, The Hill reports.
Where all the Democratic 2020 candidates stand on health care
About the poll
For the poll, Gallup between April 17 and April 30 surveyed 1,024 adults ages 18 and older who were living in the United States.
When asked to identify "the most important financial problem facing your family today" from a wide-ranging list of potential problems, the poll found that:
• 17% of respondents cited health care costs;
• 11% cited a lack of money or low wages;
• 8% cited college expenses;
• 8% cited the cost of owning or renting a home; and
• 8% cited taxes.
According to the poll, health care costs was the top financial concern among all income levels, but the results varied by age. For example, the poll found 25% of respondents ages 50 to 64 cited health care costs as their top financial concern, as well as 23% of respondents ages 65 and older. However, health care costs was tied with housing costs and college expenses as the top financial concern among respondents younger than 50.
Health care likely will be a 'major focus' for elections
Gallup said the results suggest that health care likely will be a "major focus" in upcoming national elections. "Even in generally good economic times, Americans still face significant personal financial challenges. Foremost among these are health care costs, which have been a consistent concern over time but currently stand above all other concerns. As such, health care will likely continue to be a major focus in national elections, including the 2020 presidential election," Gallup said (Axelrod, The Hill, 5/30; Jones, Gallup, 5/30; Gooch, Becker's Hospital CFO Report, 5/30).
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