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, part of a partnership called Health Care in America. The survey’s initial findings reveal that 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 when they 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.