Harvard Poll: Public Ranks Healthcare Costs as No. 1 Priority Heading Into Elections

A new Politico-Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health survey found most Americans consider reducing healthcare and prescription drug costs their leading priorities heading into the November elections regardless of political persuasion, reports Politico Pro . Respondents also prioritized these issues over other pressing problems, like a major health system revamp or climate change. "Even among Democrats, the top issues are pocketbook issues — not the big system reform debates," said Harvard Professor Robert Blendon. "They're worried about their own lives, their own payments, and what they can afford." About 80 percent of respondents — including 89 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of Republicans — considered "taking steps to lower the cost of healthcare" as "extremely" or "very" important. Lowering prescription-drug costs was backed by 75 percent of poll respondents, with majorities in both parties ranking it "extremely important" or "very important."