Deep concern for economy trumps healthcare issue

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- In a survey of New Jersey and Philadelphia regional Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers, 72 percent do not believe a new health care bill would likely result in a better health care system.

According to results of the latest survey conducted by the Alloy Silverstein Group, a Cherry Hill, NJ accounting firm, the economy topped the list at 85 percent as the biggest national issue. This survey represents 129 responses to its 1500 surveys sent to companies from all parts of New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks and Chester Counties.

"This reflects a cautiousness consistent with our survey a year ago when 93 percent felt the economy was the nation's biggest concern," said Ren Cicalese, managing partner of the Alloy Silverstein Group.

And while over half of those who responded to last year's poll were optimistic about newly elected President Obama's economic team, when asked "What is the best decision the national administration had made this year," 51 percent responded "None."

Additionally, over half saw government interventions as a temporary necessity, while less than half did not see the stimulus program starting to help.

Sentiments of over half of respondents polled a year ago revealed the economy would take longer than a year to recover. Twelve months later, 37 percent felt the economy was stable and 40 percent felt it was slipping.

Taxes in general were the most important local issue followed by unemployment.

While the economy, health care, unemployment and taxes loom large as issues of concern in the business community, fears of terrorism, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan concerned less than 5% of the business community since the firm has been conducting its surveys.

The Alloy Silverstein Group is a full service accounting firm with offices located in Cherry Hill and Hammonton, New Jersey and is the 19th largest accounting firm in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

SOURCE Alloy Silverstein Group

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