Top of Mind

Taxes, health care and retirement security top the list of issues insurance industry professionals would most like to see the presidential candidates address in the 2008 campaign, according to an exclusive BestWeek survey. Drawing heavily from those in the agent/broker and property/casualty insurer communities, which each constituted about 40% of respondents, the survey showed tax policy remains high on readers' agendas during this election, with 88.3% calling the issue either "important" or "very important." Health insurance reform was considered a priority for 80.9% of respondents, with 67.9% throwing their support specifically behind plans to expand health savings accounts and other consumer-driven products. Arizona Sen John McCain seems assured of receiving the Republican nomination, although challenger Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, continued to show surprising strength in Super Tuesday and the following week's so-called Potomac Primary of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.