FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The percentage of Americans who say economic concerns are the nation's top problem is decreasing... while the number worried about health care is on the rise.
A new Gallup poll shows 60-percent of those surveyed cite an economic issue - like unemployment, the deficit or the economy in general - as the nation's most serious concern. That's down from 69-percent last month. The current mood is the same as what it was in September of last year - before the bankruptcies and bailouts started.
And - as the debate over health care rages on, 25-percent of Americans now say that is the country's most important problem... that number is up from 16-percent just a month ago.
Gallup says this spike in interest is similar to what it recorded when President Clinton had tried health care reform in the early 90s.
Meanwhile - Although polls suggest more Americans think the economy is improving, many experts are saying: "Not so fast... "
Economists warn that the recovery will be weak compared to periods that followed other recessions. In fact, investors' fears over consumer spending and a decline in consumer confidence sent the markets down by the largest amount in six weeks today.
And, as our lawmakers in Washington try to figure out how to pay for a health care overhaul with a potential $1 trillion price tag - it's worth pointing out that the two issues of health care and the economy are very much intertwined.
Here’s my question to you: Which concerns you more: health care or the economy?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jeff from Marietta, Georgia writes:
Jack, It’s hard to separate the two. Health care reform will help to energize the economy. If people have more money to spend because they aren't worrying about thousands of dollars in payments to health insurance "providers" – that'll be a great stimulus plan. While it might not completely fix the economy, it's at least a good step forward.
Ryan writes:
The economy can thrive without public health care, but without money, how can there be health care? Hospitals, drugs, and doctors are expensive, and cannot be sustained without funds. Although I am in full support of public health care, I think it's undeniable that without a good economy, public medical services would be near impossible.
Dan writes:
With the deficit at record levels, it should be the main concern for everyone. Adding health care will just increase that deficit (I know, the Democrats are claiming they'll come up with a deficit-neutral plan, but no one should believe that). Let's try and fix our current upside-down spending policies that have only gotten worse under Pres. Obama. Then we can have a serious debate about adding to the spending.
A.C. from Los Angeles writes:
Health care is more important to me because the working poor, millions of them, are being locked out of the system – and it has become a disgrace. We have got to get health care costs under control in order to help our economic recovery.
Rosalynd from Orlando, Florida writes:
Both! Health care reform is as much an issue of economic recovery as jobs and other economic elements. Out-of-pocket costs for co-pays and insurance premiums have increased, so that affects one's bottom line just like food, gasoline, and utilities. If you lose a job today, the benefits go with it, and very few Americans can afford the high cost of a Cobra health plan.
Lori writes:
The economy is making me sick. Wait, I can't get sick – I don't have any health care.