Health Insurance Companies Get the Most Blame for Increasing Cost of Health Care

Obama seen as more likely to control health care costs and reduce the number of uninsured than McCain

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many more people blame the insurance industry for rising health care costs than blame anyone else. When asked who is most to blame, 41% of adults blame insurance companies compared to far fewer who blame the pharmaceutical companies (16%), the government (16%), hospitals (6%), or physicians (4%).

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll®, a new nationwide survey of 2,119 U.S. adults surveyed online between October 16 and 20, 2008 by Harris Interactive^®.

The survey found that large pluralities of people in all demographic groups are much more likely to blame the insurance industry than anyone else, whether they are young or old, male or female, rich or poor, live in the East, Midwest, South or West or are a Republican, Democrat or Independent.

This Harris Poll also found that a lopsided 67% to 18% majority of adults think it is more important to provide basic health insurance for those who are now uninsured than to prove provide better benefits to those with health insurance. While majorities of all demographic groups feel this way, the largest majorities favoring coverage of the uninsured are found among African-Americans (by 80% to 11%) and Democrats (by 80% to 10%). But most Republicans and whites agree with them.

The survey also measured public perceptions of which of the two leading presidential candidates would do a better job on four health care and social issues. Senator Barack Obama led Senator John McCain on all four issues;

• By 51% to 16% on reducing the uninsured
• By 44% to 24% on controlling the cost of health care
• By 40% to 28% on dealing with Medicare
• By 39% to 29% on dealing with Social Security.

So What?

These survey results point to several conclusions. Firstly, insurance companies are seen more to blame than any other health care players. One reason is that they, unlike drug companies, physicians or hospitals, do not provide any treatment or care.

Secondly, health care (which was second only to the economy in importance in the most recent Harris Poll on issues) continues to be a strong issue for Senator Obama, even if many people don’t understand the details of the candidates’ complicated health care policies.

Thirdly, the desire for universal health insurance, difficult and expensive as that may be, is still very strong, even though it would not be achieved the by policy proposals of either candidate.

Methodology

This Harris Poll^® was conducted online within the United States between October 16 and 20, 2008 among 2,119 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online. Full data tables and methodology for this study can be found at www.harrisinteractive.com.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Harris Interactive Inc. 9/08