Health Care: Big In '06

A new poll released today  about how voters look at health care issues turned up some interesting tidbits that will likely resonate in next year's mid-term elections. The most important, in my mind, is the finding that health care is not a pocketbook issue for most voters—especially women. When asked what they were most worried about regarding health care, the majority of voters said they were worried the government would fail to address our national health care crisis—not that they were worried their taxes would increase, or that government control would ruin the health care system.

While independent women (that oh-so-important swing voter group) are the most concerned about government inaction on health care, Republican women and men are also concerned. And a full 66 percent of women voters favor "expanding access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans even if it means raising taxes." (You can see all the poll results here —it's a very accessible, non-wonky and short report.)

Also on the topic of health care, the folks at Citizens' Health Care Working Group are gathering comments from the public  on four "big questions" about health care. The group was created by a federal statute and charged with using input from regular people to develop a plan for health care that works for all Americans. Starting in 2006, the group will use these responses to guide public meetings about health care priorities. So now's the time to weigh in—your responses can actually influence policy recommendations. Put your voice to use here .

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future