Four Out Of Five Voters Favor Stronger Medicare Coverage For Wheelchairs, Oxygen, And Other Home Medical Equipment And Services

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 30 Jan 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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An overwhelming majority (78 percent) of American voters say they would vote for congressional candidates who would strengthen Medicare coverage for power wheelchairs, oxygen devices, hospital beds, and other durable medical equipment and services used in the home. Three-quarters of voters believe homecare is part of the solution to the problem of rapidly increasing Medicare spending.

A national telephone survey of 1,000 American adults conducted last month found that strong majorities of both Democrats (85 percent) and Republicans (71 percent) support homecare-friendly candidates. The survey was commissioned by the American Association for Homecare and was conducted by Harris Interactive. Harris Interactive conducts The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls.

"Homecare is both cost-effective and is the preferred choice of consumers," said Tyler J. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare. "It is part of the answer to the Medicare and Medicaid funding problems. Yet, the President in his proposed 2009 budget next week and some members of Congress are likely to again propose deep cuts in Medicare durable medical equipment reimbursement rates, on top of previous cuts and other reductions that have yet to take effect. Broad bipartisan voter sentiment calling for better policy may elevate homecare as an issue in the congressional and presidential elections this year."

Older Americans More Likely to Support Homecare-Friendly Candidates

Americans age 55 and older are more likely (83 percent) to favor candidates who support homecare, compared to the 18-to-54 age group (76 percent). Approximately 69 million Americans are 55 or older.

The AARP has dubbed the 2008 election as "the 50-plus election," estimating that voters age 50-plus will turn out in even greater numbers than the 52 percent reported by exit polls during the 2006 elections.

Home Is Where People Prefer to Receive Health Care

More than four out of five Americans (82 percent) surveyed by Harris express a preference for homecare over institutional care, agreeing with the statement, "If I required medical services, I would prefer to receive it in my home if possible, rather than in a hospital or nursing home." Only nine percent disagree with the statement and nine percent are neutral. Preference for home care is most common among Americans age 55 and older (91 percent). The strong preference for homecare is consistent across all age group, gender, and income segments.

Americans View Home Care as Part of the Solution to Rapidly Rising Medicare Spending

Three out of four (74 percent) Americans agree with the statement, "homecare is part of the solution to the problem of rapidly increasing Medicare spending for America's seniors." That result is consistent across political party lines and across liberal and conservative ranks. Americans age 55-plus are more likely to agree (81 percent).

Harris Interactive surveyed 1,000 Americans age 18 and older between December 14 and 17, 2007. For more detail, survey method, see Newsroom here.

The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) represents providers of durable medical equipment and related services and supplies as well as equipment manufacturers. AAHomecare members serve the medical needs of millions of Americans who require home oxygen equipment, wheelchairs and other mobility products, hospital beds, medical supplies, inhalation drug therapy, home infusion, and other medical equipment, therapies, services, and supplies delivered in the patient's home. AAHomecare's provider members operate more than 3,000 home care locations in all 50 states.

American Association for Homecare

Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and one of the fastest growing market research firms in the world. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its North American, European and Asian offices, and through a global network of independent market research firms.

Harris Interactive