WASHINGTON — A new poll finds considerable concern about health costs, with nearly half of all Americans worried about paying for future care.
Nearly one in four people expressed fear of losing coverage in the next year. About the same number reported that they or a family member delayed seeing a doctor in the past year because of what it might cost.
The survey, released Wednesday, was conducted by the University of Michigan and financed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a health care philanthropy.
Overall, 46 percent of those polled worried they would not be able to afford health care in the future. In February, the government estimated that health care costs this year would average $8,160 for every man, woman and child in the U.S. — an increase of $356 per person from 2008.
Concerns about losing insurance coverage in the next year were reported by 24 percent of those surveyed. The biggest group fearing such a loss was between 50 and 64 years old.
One of the brighter findings: 86 percent of people reported receiving quality health care.
The Associated Press
