Although many health policy experts think that overuse of health care services is a significant contributor to high health care costs, the public’s major concern is that prices for services and drugs are simply too high.
That’s according to a review of 14 national public opinion polls from 2018 and 2019 conducted by experts from Harvard University.
In a May 29, 2019 Perspective article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the co-authors noted that 76% of the public believes that Americans are paying too much for most of the health care they receive, relative to its quality. The public lays much of the blame for high care costs at the feet of pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and hospitals, the authors said.
Polls have also found that, in general, Democrats favor government efforts, especially by the federal government, to control health care costs, while Republicans believe that private health insurance and state governments would be more effective at reducing costs.
The public is skeptical that any cost-reduction approach will succeed in reducing health care prices, the authors said—which means that if people are to actively support any such proposals, they’ll have to be shown that those proposals would actually reduce their costs for care.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health co-authors included Robert Blendon, Richard L. Menschel Professor of Public Health and Professor of Health Policy and Political Analysis, and John Benson, senior research scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Read the NEJM article: The Upcoming U.S. Health Care Cost Debate — The Public’s Views
FAQs
Nearly 3 in 4 adults say they are worried about being able to afford unexpected medical bills (74%) and the cost of health care services (73%), more than say the same about other everyday expenses, such as gas, utilities, food, and housing costs, and about paying for prescription drugs (55%).
What does the public think about healthcare? ›
Americans' Ratings of Healthcare Coverage
Shows 2022 results for how Americans rate both U.S. healthcare coverage and their own healthcare coverage. Overall, 32% give U.S. healthcare an excellent or good rating, while 66% are this positive about their own coverage.
How do high healthcare costs affect people? ›
The cost of health care can lead some to put off needed care. One in four adults say that in the past 12 months they have skipped or postponed getting health care they needed because of the cost. Notably six in ten uninsured adults (61%) say they went without needed care because of the cost.
How many Americans think healthcare is too expensive? ›
In a May 29, 2019 Perspective article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the co-authors noted that 76% of the public believes that Americans are paying too much for most of the health care they receive, relative to its quality.
How might public opinion impact health policy? ›
Public opinion can also influence health policy choices by setting constraints on lawmakers. Health care is a highly salient issue that touches the lives of pretty much everyone at some point.
Why are people against the Affordable Care Act? ›
Despite these positive changes, a near majority of Americans still oppose the ACA, even though they approve of most of its features. They oppose the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance (the individual mandate), and they oppose a government role in health care.
How does the public view public health? ›
By contrast, only about one-third of adults (34%) adults give positive ratings to the nation's system for protecting the public from health threats and preventing illness, with nearly two-thirds of adults (65%) rating the nation's public health system as fair or poor.
Why is high health care spending a problem? ›
The rising cost of healthcare is a grave problem for resource depleted countries in addition to the rising burden of diseases. It not only affects the quality of care being provided but also has led to the rationing and limiting of healthcare services [5].
What are the effects of unaffordable healthcare? ›
High costs can also result in care nonadherence. Faced with an impossible choice between necessary living expenses and life-saving care, far too many patients skip or delay critical appointments, treatments, or medication. This can be a detrimental decision for many patients.
Why should we lower healthcare costs? ›
The benefits of providing more cost-effective care to patients are immense. One of the biggest benefits of cost reduction is improved affordability. Lowering healthcare costs can make healthcare services more accessible to individuals and families, especially those who have limited access to financial resources.
There are many possible reasons for that increase in healthcare prices: The introduction of new, innovative healthcare technology can lead to better, more expensive procedures and products. The complexity of the U.S. healthcare system can lead to administrative waste in the insurance and provider payment systems.
What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare? ›
What Are the Consequences of Having No Health Insurance? Not having health insurance can lead to large debt, affect your health if you delay care and may even hurt you at tax time, depending on your state.
Why should healthcare be more affordable? ›
By making health coverage more affordable and accessible and thus increasing the number of Americans with coverage, by funding community-based public health and prevention programs, and by supporting research and tracking on key health measures, the ACA will begin to reduce disparities, enhance access to preventive ...
How does public health affect society? ›
Public health promotes the welfare of the entire population, ensures its security and protects it from the spread of infectious disease and environmental hazards, and helps to ensure access to safe and quality care to benefit the population.
Has the Affordable Care Act been successful? ›
The ACA continues to be a successful, popular, and important federal program to millions of people and their families.
Why is healthcare policy so critical to the public's health? ›
“Policy guides what we receive as healthcare, with a focus on prevention and education,” says Dr. Gayle Jones, a subject matter expert on public health. Effective public health policies can help: Prevent the spread of diseases.
What do people think public health is? ›
Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.
Is healthcare a public or private good? ›
Health generally is not considered a public good, because non-paying individuals (for health insurance, healthy food, etc.) may not be able to achieve good health.
What is the biggest problem with the US healthcare system? ›
A 2023 survey found that over half of U.S. individuals indicated the cost of accessing treatment was the biggest problem facing the national healthcare system. This is much higher than the global average of 31 percent and is in line with the high cost of health care in the U.S. compared to other high-income countries.
