October 2004

Dissatisfaction with healthcare system growing

American’s satisfaction with the quality of medical care they personally have received remained stable in 2004, but they are increasing growing dissatisfied with the healthcare system as a whole. And they are growing more concerned about their ability to afford quality healthcare in the future, according to the 2004 Health Confidence Survey (HCS), sponsored by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Mathew Greenwald & Associates.

The HCS found that:

• 25 percent of those experiencing cost increases have reduced retirement savings contributions because of growing medical bills;

• 48 percent report reducing other savings;

• 28 percent say medical bills make it more difficult to pay for necessities;

• Only 14 percent cow call the nation’s healthcare system excellent or very good, while 60 percent rate it as fair or poor.

Full results of the 2004 HCS are available online at www.ebri.org.

Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, www.ebri.org

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: