A recent AFL-CIO survey shows that healthcare is a top concern of union members—a segment of society that tends to have good insurance through employers.

Seventy-one percent of union members believe it is "critical" for elected officials to address healthcare, and 82 percent say the healthcare situation is either in a "state of crisis" (32 percent) or has "major problems" (50 percent).

The survey, conducted by Financial Dynamics, shows that more than three-quarters of those surveyed support either an "overhaul" of the current system (30 percent) or "major reforms" (46 percent). And union members overwhelmingly believe—with 72 percent support—that the federal government has a central role to play in providing universal coverage to all Americans.

Attitudes among the general public are very much in line with those of union members when it comes to healthcare. A CBS/New York Times poll earlier this year found that 90 percent of the public believe the U.S. healthcare system needs to be completely rebuilt or undergo fundamental change, and 95 percent believe it is a serious problem that so many Americans lack health insurance. A recent Gallup poll showed that 76 percent of Americans support providing guaranteed healthcare coverage for every American.