Survey shows healthcare woes of Americans

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:39:39 GMT

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=98738&sectionid=3510203

A quarter of Americans have had trouble over healthcare payments in the past 12 months as the US is struggling with the economic recession, a study shows.

Researchers at Center for Healthcare Improvement, part of the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, conducted the survey and released it on Monday.

Baby boomers - the generation born between 1946 and 1964 - had the most trouble and were the most likely to put off medical treatments or services, according to the study.

It also found that 17.4% of households reported postponing or delaying healthcare over the past year.

The US Congress is working on a way to cover more of the 46 million people who lack health insurance, lower costs and coordinate care better.

Researchers at the US Congressional Budget Office have estimated a healthcare reform program being considered in Congress could cost one trillion dollars over 10 years.

Americans pay more per capita for healthcare than people in any other countries, yet have high rates of infant mortality, diabetes, untreated heart disease and other conditions. Americans are often dissatisfied with their access to care.

Thomson Reuters - the parent company of Reuters - used its annual Pulse survey that queries 100,000 households to get information about health behavior.