public's view of the U.S. health care system

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RESPONSE:

1. What is the public's view of the U.S. health care system?

In 2006, one study found that four-fifths of Americans are dissatisfied with the U.S. health care system. This is consistent with other surveys (see survey at http://www.ebri.org/pdf/surveys/hcs/2005/questionaire.pdf). Although the U.S. health care system has achieved a very high quality of care for some populations, this care has never been accessible to all. (http://www.aapa.org/policy/health-care-sys-reform.html).

This negative and dissatisfied perception is shaped by various factors.

2. How did the insurers shape that perception?

a. High insurance premiums are out of reach for many American who remain uninsured, leading to a dissatisfied and negative public view.

b. Mandatory versus voluntary coverage has shaped that negative perception. In one study, for example, they found that: "fifty-two percent of respondents stated their belief that basic health insurance should be mandatory; 48 percent said that each individual should decide on his or her own. People age sixty-five and older mirrored the overall population; however, in the under-age-sixty-five groups, there was a marked difference between the youngest adults, who slightly favored individuals' making their own decisions, and those ages 55-64, who showed the strongest support of mandatory coverage (62 percent). Mandatory coverage was supported by 69 percent of blacks and 55 percent of Hispanics but only 46 percent of whites. There were no significant differences by education or income. Those with private insurance, Medicaid, or other insurance (including Medicare) supported mandatory coverage, with support strongest among Medicaid enrollees. The key exception was the uninsured, 24 percent of whom believe in mandatory coverage compared with 76 percent who support individual choice" ...