SENIORS FAVOR PRIVATE RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS, OPPOSE GOV’T HEALTH CARE

National Survey of Senior Americans Age 50-Plus
United Seniors Assn./McLaughlin & Associates Survey
September 3, 2001

CONTACT:
  CHARLES JARVIS, United Seniors Association
   (703/359-6500)
  STUART POLK, Vice President, McLaughlin & Associates
   spolk@mclaughlinonline.com (703/518-4445)

NATIONAL MEDIA RELEASE

Methodology:  This national survey of likely voters 50 years of age and older was conducted between August 17-19, 2001. This unique national survey tested the public opinions of older voters on the issues of health care and Social Security. All interviews were conducted by professional interviewers via telephone. Interview selection was at random within predetermined units. These units were structured to correlate statistically with actual population census figures by age nationwide.

The accuracy of this national survey of 800 older likely voters is within +/- 3.4% at a 95% confidence interval.

Health Care Summary

These survey results send a clear message that older voters want choice, protection of individual rights, access to quality and safe medicine and reform when it comes to health care, especially government-controlled programs.

The survey also pinpoints key health care demographics among older voters. Although most people have a doctor and some type of health care coverage, 24% live without any prescription drug coverage. What is more alarming is that the percentage of those without prescription drug coverage rises to 33% among those aged 70 to 75 years old, and to 38% among those over 75 years old.

Regarding the perception of big health care-related companies and industries, older voters are very wary. The majority has an unfavorable opinion of HMOs, and a plurality has an unfavorable opinion of the pharmaceutical industry.

Regarding prescription drugs, older voters are skeptical of what a government-run prescription drug plan would offer them. Three in five would not give up their current prescription drug plan to go into a government-run prescription drug plan. There is a sense that under a government-run prescription drug plan they would be denied access to top-quality medicine and forced to take generic drugs instead of brand-name drugs. The majority believes a government-run prescription drug plan will ultimately cost them more in taxes, premiums, and fees. In addition, older voters are essentially split on whether they believe taxpayers can afford a government-run prescription plan that covers all senior Americans or only low-income senior Americans.

Regarding Medicare, the majority believes Medicare needs to be improved. Older voters strongly believe senior Americans should have the right to choose among different health care plans like members and employees of Congress, and should have the right to leave their current health care plan if they find a better one. Older voters strongly believe that people turning 65 should be able to keep their health care plan and not be forced out of it. Also, it is very important to older voters that their doctors can prescribe the proper medication and treatment to them without facing government interference or restrictions.

Social Security Summary:

This survey clearly illustrates the concerns that older voters have about Social Security. Older voters are calling for policies that will protect benefits and reform Social Security for future generations.

Nearly half of the voters aged 50 to 59 are not confident they will recoup all their Social Security benefits when they retire. The public confidence does rise among voters aged 60 and older. However, an alarming majority of older voters are not confident that their children or grandchildren will receive all of their Social Security benefits when they retire.

Regarding protecting Social Security benefits, older voters think it would be unfair for the government to raise the minimum age at which you can receive Social Security benefits and think it would be unfair to make cuts to the cost of living adjustments on Social Security benefits. Almost unanimously, older voters disapprove of Congress using money from the Social Security Trust Fund and the Medicare Trust Fund for spending on other government programs.

Regarding reform of Social Security, the majority of older voters believe Social Security needs fundamental reform to keep it solvent. Specifically, older voters approve of allowing workers under the age of 55 the option of placing a portion of their Social Security payroll taxes in a personal retirement account. In addition, older voters understand the importance of personal retirement accounts especially for their children and grandchildren. An overwhelming number of older voters think that personal retirement accounts are important to give their children and grandchildren a better and more secure retirement.

You may also view a set of tables listing answers to key questions.  These tables show overall totals as well as totals for each age subgroup surveyed.  Click here to download; the questions and tables are viewable in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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