Quick Take: Survey finds economy taking a toll on patients

An April poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that “as economic conditions remain poor, a majority of the public continues to say that they or a member of their household have delayed or skipped health care in the past year."

Costs have driven 42% of survey respondents to substitute home remedies or over-the-counter drugs for doctor visits. In addition, 29% report they did not fill a prescription for medicine, while nearly 20% say they have cut pills in half or skipped doses.

Overall, 26% of Americans say someone in their household has had trouble paying medical bills in the past year.

The tough economic conditions have 37% of survey participants saying the country can’t afford healthcare reform, but 59% believe it is more important than ever. Six in ten adults surveyed favor taxing unhealthy behaviors, including increasing taxes on items such as soda, alcohol, junk food and cigarettes.

On the topic of Medicare reform, 77% of those surveyed say the public plan for senior care is “very important” for the country. But 85% of those under age 65 are worried the plan won’t be there for them by the time they need it. Most survey participants (75%) say the program is in financial trouble, which they believe stems from rising healthcare costs, including doctors and hospitals overcharging and fraud.

Most respondents favor allowing the government to “negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices" (86%) and allowing Medicare to pay for new treatments and techniques only if they provide better results than existing treatments (75%).

The survey was conducted April 2-8, 2009 among more than 1,200 adults more than 18 years old. The survey was administered over the telephone in either English or Spanish.

To learn more, visit www.kff.org/kaiserpolls.

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