This percentage has risen considerably over the past two years. In general, women, older people, poorer people and Democrats tend to be more concerned about health care than others. This is perhaps not surprising since health care and paying for health care are more likely to be concerns for these groups. Beyond the importance of health care as an issue, other attitudes about health care also vary by social and demographic factors. Wealthier people are more likely to express satisfaction in this area than are poorer people.
Older people are, in general, more dissatisfied than are younger people.
The concern among this age group probably reflects their greater tendency to have health problems, but not yet be covered by Medicare. There are also some important differences among subgroups of the population in their overall evaluation of the health care system. Fifty-seven percent of those between ages 18 and 29 made the same evaluation. The only aspect of health care where there is not a big age difference is in people s satisfaction with the quality of their health care. Socioeconomic status also plays a role.