In the 2012 United States Presidential Election healthcare is second most important issue for the voters

By: Dr Charles Fiscella | Published Thursday, December 20, 2012, 3:57 PM | Updated Thursday, December 20, 2012, 3:57 PM

20 percent of US voters consider healthcare the most important issue

Healthcare is on the minds of voters, an issue which is only superseded by jobs and the economy.

In a new report published in the latest online issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that 20 % of likely voters consider healthcare and Medicare as the most important issue on their minds when voting for president next month.

The study, conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health represented an analysis of 37 national polls conducted by 17 independent organizations. Those who prioritized healthcare in their decision making were significantly more inclined to support the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called Obama Care.

Polls show that Americans are about evenly split over the ACA - 44% in support, 45% against - with the remainder unsure or undecided.

One author of the report, Professor Robert Blendon, said:

"The economy dominates most voters' thinking in terms of their priorities for choosing a candidate. But in a close election, the two candidates' stands on health care issues could help swing the balance among some voters."

The study also showed that a large majority of Americans - 65% - believe that the cost of healthcare has worsened over the last 5 years.

Healthcare should be on the minds of most Americans. The U.S. has by far the most expensive system in the world. It is inefficient and largely ineffective, especially in terms of preventative care and best practices; problems largely associated with its current fee-for-service model. Healthcare costs will continue to rise at rates far beyond inflation whether or not the ACA is eventually repealed by Republicans as promised. The system will breakdown unless there is political will to intervene, by providing basic affordable coverage to all Americans.

If healthcare is left solely to private sector solutions, future healthcare standards will decline as its costs continue to rise out of control.