Americans Dissatisfied with Medical Care Delivery and More Have Problems with Medical Bills and Debt
October 28, 2008
Americans Dissatisfied with Medical Care Delivery and More Have Problems with Medical Bills and Debt

Two recent reports from the Commonwealth Fund review concerns Americans have with the US health care system. “Losing Ground: How the Loss of Adequate Health Insurance Is Burdening Working Families,” reports that 41% of working age Americans (72 million) have medical bill problems or are paying off medical debt up from 34% in 2005. Another 7 million Americans over age 65 also have medical bill problems despite coverage from the Medicare program. The percentage of families experiencing medical bill problems or debt rose across all income levels though low and moderate income brackets experienced the largest increases.

In their issue brief “Public Views on US Health Care System Organization: A Call for New Directions,” the fund released findings from a recent survey where 82% respondents said they believed the health care system should be fundamentally changed or rebuilt. The majority of respondents felt the presidential candidates should focus on improving health care quality, ensuring that health care and insurance coverage is affordable for all Americans and reduce the number of uninsured. Nearly half of the respondents noted having experienced poorly coordinated care and more than 90% believe it is important to have one point of contact to coordinate their care.

These reports provide further evidence that Americans are increasingly receptive to changes in the way US health care is delivered and financed.

To view the reports please visit,

Medical Billing Problems
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/funddigest/funddigest_show.htm?issue_id=4109&doc_id=712613&fromemail=1

Public Views on the Health Care System
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=698138