Americans Split on Health Care Priorities: Poll

But they're divided by race, age, location, not political party

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2009 4:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Americans have differing priorities for health care reform based not on a Republican/Democrat divide but on their race, age, and location, a USA Today/Gallup poll found. A majority of African-American and Latino voters among those polled think extending coverage to the uninsured should be the most important aspect of reform efforts; whites care more about controlling costs.

Geographically, Southerners favor cutting costs, while Westerners support expanded coverage. The poll found age to be a divisive factor as well—seniors are more opposed than other age groups to changing the system. If there is to be change, less than half of seniors want it this year—an opinion they share with Americans who have insurance and are in good health.

Joan Korman ,left, and Dawn Tabrizi, right, hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Elizabeth Smith ,left, and her husband Spence Smith hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, August 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Protesters gather in front of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless' Stout Street Clinic in Denver, Colo., on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

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Americans Split on Health Care Priorities: Poll

But they're divided by race, age, location, not political party

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Falling From Favor: The Term 'African American'

Changing tastes have many preferring 'black'—or just 'American'

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Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

Health-Care Firms Paid Gingrich's Think Tank $37M

...and some of its policy advice echoed ObamaCare

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New preventive health rules require insurers to cover cost

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His mother had health insurance when she died, and it paid up

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Americans Split on Health Care Priorities: Poll

But they're divided by race, age, location, not political party

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

race • health insurance • African Americans • health care industry • Latinos • health care reform • South • women's issues

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Falling From Favor: The Term 'African American'

Changing tastes have many preferring 'black'—or just 'American'

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

Health-Care Firms Paid Gingrich's Think Tank $37M

...and some of its policy advice echoed ObamaCare

No More Co-Pay for Birth Control: Obama

New preventive health rules require insurers to cover cost

Book Scuttles Obama's Health Care Story

His mother had health insurance when she died, and it paid up

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