Health insurance ranks among the industries for which more Americans want to see increased regulation. They are oil (41%), pharmaceuticals (39%), tobacco (35%), health insurance (34%), banks (31%), electric and gas utilities (24%), packaged food companies (24%) and managed care companies such as HMOs (24%).
In contrast, less than 10% want more regulation of computer hardware and software companies (6% each), online search engines (7%), online retailers (7%) or supermarkets (9%). The biggest changes from last year are drops of 7 points in those who want more regulation of electric and gas utilities and drops of 6 points each for those who want more regulation of managed care companies, life insurance companies and health insurance companies. For more information, visit www.harrisinteractive.com.