Pharmaceutical, Health Insurance, Managed Care, Utilities and Tobacco Top the List of Industries That Many People Think Need More Regulation Health Care Industry Regulation Updated: 11/1/2006 5:17:38 PM Print Article Email Article           Many people favor more regulation of major industries, but this support for stronger regulations varies enormously by industry. One perception strongly linked to the desire for stronger regulation is trust. The more people believe industries to be honest and trustworthy, the less likely they are to want government to regulate them more. A majority of U.S. adults think that the oil industry (54%) should be more strongly regulated, followed by pharmaceuticals (48%), health insurance (48%), managed care (41%), electric and gas utilities (38%) and tobacco (38%). Less than 10 percent of all adults believe that statements made by companies in these industries are "generally honest and trustworthy." Tobacco (2%), oil (3%), managed care (4%), health insurance (7%), and pharmaceuticals (7%) are the industries least trusted. Industries that the lowest percentage of people want to see more strongly regulated are supermarkets (6%), computer hardware and software companies (both 7%), online retailers (13%), banks (17%), packaged food companies (19%) and car manufacturers (19%). These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of a cross-section of 2,010 U.S. adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive® between October 4 and 10, 2006. Differences between Republicans and Democrats While Democrats are more likely to favor stronger regulation than Republicans, the surprise may be that the differences are not great. In other words, the attitudes of many Republicans, Democrats and Independents are somewhat similar. The largest differences between Republicans and Democrats are for oil (43% of Republicans vs. 62% of Democrats favor stronger regulation), pharmaceuticals (40% vs. 54%), health insurance (41% vs. 55%), electric and gas utilities (33% vs. 45%) and tobacco (32% vs. 43%). Independents' attitudes toward regulation generally fall in between those of the Democrats and Republicans, with 56 percent saying there should be more regulation of the oil industry, followed by those who favor stronger regulation of pharmaceutical and drug companies (51%), health insurance (47%), utilities (44%) and tobacco (38%). Changes over the last three years The proportions of adults who want to see more regulations have declined substantially over the last three years. The biggest declines are for: ·Managed care such as HMOs (down 19 points from 60% to 41%); ·Health insurance (down 11 points from 59% to 48%); ·Life insurance (down 11 points from 35% to 24%); ·Airlines (down 10 points from 31% to 21%); and ·Pharmaceuticals (down 9 points from 57% to 48%). On the other hand, since 2003, there has been no decline in the percentage of adults who want stronger regulation of the oil industry. The effects of regulation on industry Ultimately, the regulation of industry is not about public relations or spin. Unpopular industries tend to be targets for legislators, regulators, the media and consumers. Industries that many people believe need stronger regulations need to work hard to regain the public's trust. Enter your ZIP code to compare the savings and benefits offered by the discount dental plans in your area. Take the first step toward a healthier smile and start saving today! > Find my dentist > Find a ZIP code             Additional Articles Healthcare Industries Still Amongst Most... Biomarker Detects and Regulates Spread o... Weill Cornell Team Discovers Molecular "... Chronic Stress Affects Attention by Alte... Scientists Spot Mechanism Behind Promisi... 'Machiavellian' Model of Evolution of Hu... While Most U.S. Adults Believe in God, O... Key Brain Reward Region Not Activated By... Drug Prescribed for Migraines and Seizur... Tastes great U-M researchers Show How Br... Genetic Variation Impacts Aspirins Effec... Pharmaceutical, Health Insurance, Manage... First Evidence to Show Elephants Like Hu... MU Study Identifies Enzyme Responsible f... Crohns Disease Gene Identified Genes and Life Stress Interact in the Br... Aspirin and Its Many Uses Effect of Direct to consumer Drug Ads Un... New Treatment for Iraq War Veterans with... Eighty Percent of US Adults Favor Allowi...

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