The economy is the top issue for voters according to a recent poll. 39% of registered voters named the economy as the most important issue in their presidential vote, followed by health care at 31%. When asked about specific health care issues, Medicare and the cost of health care were the most extremely or very important at 73% and 73% respectively. In the past 5 presidential elections, the economy has been the top issue voters considered most important in their vote. Currently, President Obama holds a lead over Mitt Romney as the candidate voters trust more to handle health care issues like Medicare, the 2010 health care law, Medicaid, and lowering health costs.

1. The Economy is Voters’ Major Concern But Health
Care Also on the List
Percent who name each issue as most important in their vote for President this year:
AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS
Total Democrats Independents Republicans
39%
31%
Economy
43%
48%
12%
14%
Health Care
10%
9%
Source: CBS News/New York Times Poll, (conducted September 8-12, 2012)

2. Medicare and the Cost of Care are
Americans’ Top Health Care Issues
I’m going to read you a list of specific health care issues the presidential candidates may be talking
about this year. For each, tell me how important the issue will be to your vote.
Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not too important
Medicare 31% 42% 17% 7%
The cost of health care and insurance 29% 44% 16% 7%
Medicaid 25% 38% 22% 10%
Providing health coverage for the uninsured 26% 36% 23% 11%
The 2010 health care law 23% 36% 21% 12%
Reproductive health care services for women 20% 33% 22% 17%
Abortion 21% 26% 20% 22%
Note: Not at all important (vol.) and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted August 7-12, 2012)

3. Economy Tops Voters’ Issue Agenda in the Past 5
Presidential Elections
Percent who said each issue was most important in their vote for President:
Rank 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008
1 Economy/Jobs Economy/Jobs Economy/Jobs Moral Values Economy
(42%) (26%) (18%) (22%) (63%)
2 Federal Deficit Medicare/Social Health Economy/Jobs War in Iraq
(21%) Security Care/Medicare (20%) (10%)
(18%) (15%)
3 Health Care Education Education Terrorism Health Care
(20%) (15%) (15%) (19%) (9%)
4 Family Values Federal Deficit Taxes Iraq Terrorism
(15%) (15%) (14%) (15%) (9%)
5 Taxes Taxes Social Security Health Care Energy
(14%) (14%) (14%) (8%) (7%)
Note: Voters in 1992 could identify more than one issue as ‘most important.’ Question wording varied slightly each election. Only top five issues
listed. In the 2000 election year, results for health care and Medicare were combined.
Source: VRS Election Day Exit Poll (conducted November 1992); VNS Election Day Exit Poll (conducted November 1996); Election Day Exit Poll,
(conducted November 2000); National Election Pool Exit Poll, (conducted November 2004, 2008)

4. President Obama Holds Lead Over Governor
Romney as the Candidate Trusted Most on Health
Care Issues
Which presidential candidate, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, do you trust to do a better job with each
of the following?
President Barack Obama Governor Mitt Romney
ALL AGES AGES 18-64 YEARS AGES 65+ YEARS
Medicare 52% 32% 54% 30% 44% 42%
The 2010 health care law 53% 33% 55% 31% 44% 40%
Medicaid 53% 31% 55% 29% 43% 39%
Lowering health costs for
52% 32% 54% 30% 41% 42%
people like you
Women’s reproductive
health choices and 53% 29% 55% 27% 45% 36%
services
Note: Both (vol.), Neither/Other (vol.) and Don’t know/Refused answers not shown.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll (conducted September 13-19, 2012)