Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
M.More than 70% of U.S. adults feel the health care system is failing, at least in some way, to meet their needs, according to new Harris Poll data shared exclusively with TIME.
apart from Increase in medical expenses per capita More than any other wealthy country in the world, the United States struggles to match other nations in life expectancy and other health outcomes. A new Harris Poll commissioned by the American Medical Association and conducted in February-March 2023 finds that patient satisfaction is also declining due to the high cost, inaccessibility and logistical disruptions of healthcare in the United States. showing.
More than half of the approximately 2,500 U.S. adults who took part in the survey rated the U.S. healthcare system a ‘C’ or lower. When asked about the factors preventing people in the United States from accessing health care, the most common criticism was cost, followed by profit-oriented systems, difficulty of insurance coverage, and confusion about what is covered.
When asked about their personal problems with the health care system, many respondents pointed to similar problems. Only 27% of those who took the survey said the U.S. healthcare system met all of their needs, while the rest said how long it took them to get an appointment (31% of respondents) , high costs (26%) and limited medical services. Insurance coverage (23%), focus on preventive care and wellness is subpar (19%).
Such complaints appear to keep at least some would-be patients away from the clinic. More than one-fifth of those surveyed said they never saw a single healthcare provider on a regular basis, and 44% said they didn’t or didn’t get the care they needed in the past two years. rice field. Of those who skipped or delayed appointments, 40% said it was because of costs, and 30% said work, family or other obligations kept them out of time.
However, the survey does suggest some bright spots and ways forward. More than 75% of survey participants said their providers are working together to improve their health, more than 70% said they wanted a stronger relationship with their providers, and more than 65% Respondents said they believed their health would improve if they worked regularly with a trusted health care provider. Providers – Responses suggesting that Americans have not given up on the system entirely despite their dissatisfaction.
Other must-reads from TIME