Although voters show considerable concern about the rising costs of health care, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll, that issue likely will not dominate in the upcoming Nov. 7 congressional elections. The poll shows that 46% of voters are “very worried” about rising healthcare and insurance costs. Still, when this group of voters was asked to identify the most important election issue, 30% named the Iraq conflict, more than twice as many who named any other issue. Moreover, health care may not get as much attention because 37% said that they plan to vote mainly on candidates’ personal characteristics, according to the poll. Another 24% will vote based on their general sense of what is happening in the nation. Only 35% plan to vote based on issues. Although Iraq dominates in the public’s mind, the poll does show an “underlying feeling” that Congress needs to further address domestic issues, such as health care.
