New "Health Care in America" Survey: For People with Serious Illness, U.S. Health Care System Can Make Things Worse
The U.S. health care system is leaving many of the sickest Americans feeling helpless, facing serious problems with their care, and struggling to make ends meet, according to the first joint survey from the Commonwealth Fund, the New York Times, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as part of a partnership called Health Care in America.
Focusing on U.S. adults with multiple hospitalizations and doctor visits — many for serious illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and stroke — the national survey included questions about hospital stays, interactions with health professionals involved in their care, dealings with health insurance companies, and experiences paying for care. Among the respondents were adults caring for friends or family members with serious illness.
According to the initial findings, also published in today’s New York Times, Americans who become seriously ill often feel confused and helpless (62%), experience major problems with their care (61%), or face the risk of financial ruin (53%) — even those who have health insurance.
“The goal of this survey partnership is to open a window into what it’s like for our sickest family members, friends, and neighbors,” said Commonwealth Fund President David Blumenthal, M.D., who discusses the new project on the Fund’s To the Point blog. “The Commonwealth Fund’s mission is to ensure that everyone has affordable, high-quality health care, and too often our system fails those who need that care most.”
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