The rising cost of health care is straining the wallets of American families, the balance sheets of our businesses, and the long term health of our federal budget. Two out of three personal bankruptcies in 2007 were a result of medical debt and last year, more than half of Americans postponed medical care or skipped their medications because they couldn't afford it. The broken health care system will cost us as much as $248 billion in lost productivity this year alone and providing health care for the uninsured costs insured American families $100 billion every year. These are just some of the reasons that explain why a poll released yesterday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows nearly eight in ten Americans view health reform as key to addressing the economy (79%). The poll also found seven in ten believe that their access to health care will improve or stay the same (72%) with reform.
According to the news release from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announcing the results of the poll:
Americans' confidence in their health insurance coverage and ability to access health care increased sharply in October, amid signs of economic recovery and Congressional momentum on health reform.
From the poll:
A large majority of Americans view health reform as key to addressing the economy. Nearly eight in 10 Americans (79 percent) believe it is important that President Obama includes health reform in plans to address the economy.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act will make quality health care affordable to most Americans and small businesses — while reducing health care costs over time. And it will not add a dime to the deficit. According to the latest CBO analysis of deficit reduction, the House bill reduces the deficit by $138 billion in the first 10 years, and by as much as $650 billion in the second 10 years.
From the poll:
Most people believe that health reform will improve their access to care or keep it stable. More than seven in 10 Americans (72 percent) believe that if health reform is enacted, their access to care will improve or stay the same.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act improves access to care — extending health insurance coverage to 96 percent of Americans, including 36 million currently uninsured.
Read the full release from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation>>