Mar 18 2009
Chronically Ill Americans Put Off Receiving Health Care
A new poll from the National Council on Aging revealed that Americans who suffer from at least one chronic illness are putting off receiving health care and are not taking medications they need to treat their conditions. By not doing either of these, they are feeling isolated and depressed.
Carol Pryor, policy director of the Access Project in Boston, said of this poll:
“This report presents a distressing picture of the barriers facing those most in need of ongoing care and support, whether or not they have insurance. As we look toward reforming our health care system, we need to ensure that these barriers are reduced or eliminated. In some countries, for example, co-pays are waived for people with chronic conditions to ensure that they can get timely care without having to worry about the cost. This can reduce barriers to care and also lower costs in the long run.”
Another poll found that even those who have health insurance fear going to the doctor because of medical expenses they may incur that the insurance won’t cover. More than 50% of those polled were extremely concerned about the rise in cost for health care and medication issues.
To read more, visit the link below.
US News & World Report On Health Care
