Editorial Addresses 'Scrimping' On Medical Care

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 28 Oct 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Recent surveys have found that, as a result of the current economic downturn, "many Americans are skimping on medications, physician visits and preventive screening in order to pay other household bills," and the trend "could be dangerous to their health and costly for the economy if more Americans lose work time or end up in the hospital," a New York Times editorial states (New York Times, 10/26).

The Times cites the latest tracking poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, finding that one in three U.S. residents say their family has had problems paying medical bills in the past year, and nearly half say someone in their family has skipped or delayed medical care because of the cost. Other surveys conducted recently by "insurance groups and health care organizations have had similar findings," the editorial states. In addition, an analysis conducted recently by IMS Health found that U.S. prescription drug sales decreased in the second quarter, the first time that sales have not increased in at least the past 12 years, according to the editorial.

"The scrimping underscores the need to provide health insurance with affordable premiums and copayments for all and to bring down medical costs," the editorial states, adding, "In tough times, no one should have to forgo needed health care" (New York Times, 10/26).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.  All rights reserved.