AFL-CIO releases results of national survey on health care

Labor, health care and other activists taking message of health care reform to Washington, DC on June 25.

The AFL-CIO has just released findings and personal stories generated from a national survey on health care in advance of a major rally for reform. The AFL-CIO and dozens of other organizations are sponsoring the rally and lobby day June 25 in Washington, DC.

The 2009 Health Care for America Survey drew 23,460 responses that revealed a deep dissatisfaction with health care coverage and costs across the country.

The survey was conducted online between April 1 and May 31 by the AFL-CIO, a federation of 56 unions, and Working America, a community affiliate.

Survey highlights:

• More than half of the respondents indicated they cannot access affordable health care due to rising costs in care and insurance.  

• One-third of all respondents report forgoing doctor-recommended tests and treatments and visiting a doctor when sick because of the costs.

• Having insurance doesn’t guarantee access to needed health care. Among respondents with health insurance, 43 said they could not afford the care they needed.

• 80 percent of those with insurance say their health care costs increased this past year, with 34 percent saying they increased a lot.

• One-quarter of respondents said someone in their household lost health care coverage in the past year because of losing or changing jobs.

• One-quarter of those without health insurance say they were denied coverage in the past year due to pre-existing conditions.

• Health care is costlier and harder to access for people without employer-provided coverage or Medicare. Sixty-two percent said they cannot get the care they need at an affordable price, compared with 39 percent of people with employer-provided coverage.

• The uninsured are in a dire situation, with 96 percent saying they cannot get the care they need at an affordable cost.

• Three-quarters of our respondents (76 percent) are dissatisfied with their household's health care costs. Two-thirds are dissatisfied with their health care coverage. More than one-third are dissatisfied with their household's access to care and the quality of care they receive.

• Ninety-seven percent of people who took the survey, including 96 percent of those with insurance, say that given the current economic crisis, health care reform is urgent.

• By far, most people (83 percent) say health insurers have too much influence on their health care and treatment.

Unions and dozens of other organizations, from the religion-based Faithful Reform in Health Care, to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) to Actors Equity will take part in the national rally for health care in Washington, DC on June 25.