Millions without health insurance considered critical national problem, 94% of Hispanics call problem very serious, new Zogby America poll reveals
Date: August 17, 1999

The fact that approximately 44 million Americans currently have no health insurance is considered a very serious national problem an overwhelming number of Americans believe, a new Zogby America poll shows.

The survey of 952 likely voters taken nationwide between August 11-15 revealed that 94.5 % of those surveyed consider it serious national problem that nearly one-fifth of all American residents currently have no health insurance, with an overwhelming 76.9% calling it a "very serious problem." The survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.3%.

The lack of health insurance was equally judged a very serious problem by respondents from large cities, (78.2%); small cities (76.7%); suburbs (78.2%) and rural areas (74%).

Among racial groups, the lack of health insurance was called very serious by 94.1% of Hispanic Americans; 88.8% of African Americans and 73.9% of white Americans.

And among age groups, the problem was termed very serious by 18-29 year-olds (78.5%); 30-49 year-olds (74.6%); 50-64 year-olds (80.2%) and people over 65, 74.4%.

Pollster John Zogby: "Whenever 70 plus percent of a group agrees or disagrees on something, it's a consensus," Zogby said. "It also should be noted that only 5% said the issue is not important and less than 1 percent have no opinion."

The primary difference among the responses is found among gender. While 86% of the women survey called the lack of health insurance by so many a very serious problem, 69.1% of the men view the issue as very serious.

Zogby International Press Release