---
title: "Democrats’ Top Priority: Reducing Health Care Costs"
description: "Eight-in-ten Democrats (81%) call reducing health care costs a top priority for policymakers, the highest percentage for any issue mentioned in a January 2008 poll."
date: "2008-02-05"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2008/02/05/democrats-top-priority-reducing-health-care-costs/"
---

# Democrats’ Top Priority: Reducing Health Care Costs

Eight-in-ten Democrats call reducing health care costs a top priority for policymakers, the highest percentage for any issue mentioned in a January 2008 poll; by contrast, only about half of Republicans (52%) rate health care costs a major priority. Republicans place greater priority on defending the U.S. against terrorism (86%, vs. 74% for Democrats), dealing with the issue of illegal immigration (64% vs. 43%), and strengthening the military (62% vs. 37%).[Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/704/election-year-economic-ratings-lowest-since-92)