Volume IV, Issue 167 August 29, 2008

Americans Think Healthcare System Needs Overhaul Americans are dissatisfied with the U.S. healthcare system and 82 percent think it should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt, according to a new survey by The Commonwealth Fund. The survey of more than 1,000 adults was conducted by Harris Interactive in May 2008; and the vast majority of those surveyed — nine out of 10 — felt it was important that the two leading presidential candidates propose reform plans that would improve healthcare quality, ensure that all Americans can afford healthcare and insurance, and decrease the number of uninsured. The survey found that: In addition to respondents' overall dissatisfaction with the healthcare system, people are frustrated with the way they currently get healthcare. Forty-seven percent of patients experienced poorly coordinated medical care in the past two years — meaning that they were not informed about medical test results or had to call repeatedly to get them, important medical information wasn't shared between doctors and nurses, or communication between primary care doctors and specialists was poor. Nine of 10 surveyed believe that it is very important or important to have one place or doctor responsible for their primary care and for coordinating all of their care. Similarly, there was substantial public support for wider adoption of health IT, like computerized medical records and sharing information electronically with other doctors as a means of improving patient care. Nine of 10 adults wanted easy access to their own medical records, and thought it was important that all their doctors have such access as well. Nearly three out of four (73 percent) had a difficult time getting timely doctors' appointments, phone advice, or after-hours care without having to go to the ER. Although the uninsured were the most likely to report problems getting timely care without going to the ER, 26 percent of adults with health insurance also said it was difficult to get same- or next- day appointments when they were sick. And 39 percent of insured adults said it was hard to get through to their doctors on the phone when they needed them. Also, The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System released a report outlining what an ideally organized U.S. healthcare system would look like, and detailing strategies that could create that organized, efficient healthcare system while simultaneously improving care and cutting costs. Those strategies are: payment reform, patient incentives, regulatory changes, accreditation, provider training, government infrastructure support and health IT. Source: The Commonwealth Fund, August 7, 2008