A RECENTLY conducted Harris poll confirms that most Americans are sickened by the country's ailing healthcare system.
Around half of US adults (48 per cent) reported they were "very to extremely worried" about having to pay more for healthcare, while only eight per cent remained unconcerned. Individuals aged 45 to 64 years old expressed the most concern (56 per cent), whereas the younger generation (ages 18 to 34) was the least worried (37 per cent).
"Many people are very worried. But the number of those who have lost their insurance recently is not enough to increase the already large number of patients who are non-compliant - yet," explained Harris Poll chairman Humphrey Taylor. "Unfortunately, healthcare reform, however effective and however quickly it is implemented, is not going to happen fast enough to address the financial problems of those who cannot afford needed care. However, it may ease their worries about the future."
Indeed, close to one-third of respondents (28 per cent) admitted to having a medical problem but did not visit a doctor due to financial difficulties. Similarly, one-fifth (22 per cent) could not afford to fill a prescription and 34 per cent did not see a dentist when needed.
It should be noted that annual US healthcare costs have ballooned to a staggering $2.5 trillion, while the number of uninsured has increased to 46 million.
President Obama recently termed healthcare reform a "moral and fiscal imperative" and vowed to address its high costs.
"Health care reform is no longer just a moral imperative, it is a fiscal imperative. If we want to create jobs and rebuild our economy, then we must address the crushing cost of health care this year, in this administration," said Obama.
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