Government
Americans report cutting back on health care due to economy
■ A survey also finds that many in the U.S. trust President Obama to handle health reform.
By Doug Trapp — Posted March 13, 2009
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More than half of Americans have not filled prescriptions, have skipped medical tests or otherwise have put off seeking health care in the last year because of the costs.
More than a third -- 35% -- reported relying on home remedies or over-the-counter drugs to treat a condition or illness instead of visiting a physician, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation's February Health Tracking Poll. The survey is based on a nationally representative random sample of about 1,200 adults.
When polled, 34% of survey respondents said they had skipped dental care or checkups. Some 27% said they had put off or postponed getting needed health care, and 23% skipped a recommended medical test or treatment. Twenty-one percent did not fill a prescription, 15% cut pills in half or skipped medication doses, and 7% had problems getting mental health care.
"When half the public reports skimping on care because they can't afford it, it's very clear that what the public wants most from health reform is relief from health care costs," said Kaiser President and CEO Drew Altman, PhD.
Poll participants named making care affordable their top health priority for President Obama and Congress -- 38% chose that option. Another 34% said expanding coverage to more Americans was the highest priority, and 14% called for changing the health care system to improve the quality and value of care.
Obama is significantly more trusted on health care than is Congress, the survey found. Forty-seven percent of respondents favored President Obama more than Democrats or Republicans in Congress to handle health system reform. Seventeen percent said they first trusted Republicans, while 12% had faith in congressional Democrats above others, just above the 11% who trust "none of the above."
The February Kaiser poll can be accessed online (link).