WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a
new national survey from CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) released today
found that over half (56 percent) of Americans say the U.S. health
care system does not work well for them, while overwhelming
majorities agree the system is in need of reform (73 percent) and
is currently too politicized (69 percent).
Of those Americans frustrated by the current state of U.S.
health care, 65 percent say it is too expensive, and the
affordability of health care, health insurance and prescription
drugs top the list of Americans' most urgent concerns.
The results of the national survey of 2,201 adults, conducted
online by Morning Consult on behalf of CVS Health in October 2017 and released at the Forbes Health
Care Summit, also found that more Americans (41 percent) believe
health care in the U.S. has generally gotten worse rather than
improved over the past five years. However, when it comes to their
personal experience, a plurality say their own health care has
largely not changed, and a larger share of Americans say it has
gotten better (28 percent) than who say it has gotten worse (23
percent).
Despite generally negative views of health care in the United States, a vast majority of insured
respondents (83 percent) say they are somewhat or very satisfied
with their health plans. However, nearly a third report that they
did not have a choice in the health plan that was offered to
them.
At the same time, respondents of the survey are hopeful about
the health care system's future state, particularly for the next
generation of Americans. This sentiment is particularly strong
among American parents of whom 52 percent say they are optimistic
their children will have better health care than they did at their
age. They point to innovation as the reason, with 65 percent who
say advances in health care will make lives safer and 66 percent
who say advances will make lives longer.
However, the survey reveals limits to Americans' optimism as a
skeptical public questions whether effective health care reform
will eliminate regulatory barriers to innovation and put patients
first. According to the survey, a plurality of Americans (45
percent) feel there is too much regulation in the way of innovation
in health care. Furthermore, three out of five Americans say
decisions made in health care put the bottom line ahead of
patients, whereas only one in five say that either decisions put
patients first or they are at least considered equally with the
bottom line.
"While we see significant frustration in this poll with the cost
and quality of healthcare, there is a sense of hope among Americans
about the future," said CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Troyen A.
Brennan, M.D., M.P.H. "These findings underscore a challenging set
of pain points in the system which should serve as a catalyst for
all players in health care – patients, providers, payors and
policymakers – to work together to pursue the necessary reforms and
innovations that improve quality and affordability and make a
complex system easier to navigate for a more empowered health care
consumer."
The full set of survey results is available at
www.cvshealth.com/stateofhealthcare.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States between October 19-23, 2017 among 2,201 adults aged 18+
by Morning Consult on behalf of CVS Health. Results from the survey
have a margin of error of ±2%.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on
their path to better health. Through its 9,700 retail locations,
more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy
benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated
senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million
patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a
leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the
company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health
in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model
increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes
and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about
how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at
https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact
Joe Goode, 401-770-9820
Joseph.Goode@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health