Perspective               

Americans Concerned about Future of Health Care

According to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, Americans are becoming more critical about the health care system. Growing health care costs and concern over the future of health care in America are the top concerns of Americans today.

The 2000 Health Confidence Survey takes a look at a wide range of health care issues, including Americans' overall satisfaction with health care today, their confidence in the outlook of health care and Medicare, and their views on health care reform.

The results show that half of respondents who are not yet eligible for Medicare are not too confident or not at all confident that they will be able to afford health care without financial hardship once they are eligible for Medicare. Only one in five Americans are extremely or very confident that they will be able to get the treatments they need once they are eligible for Medicare.

Many respondents, especially women and those in poor health, are worried about growing health care costs and lack confidence in their ability to afford medical care in the future. In addition, people's understanding of HMOs has continued to decline.

If you are concerned about your ability to get reliable and affordable health care in the future, call your Senators and let them know. To find out how to contact your Senator, go to www.visi.com/juan/congress. For information about your health care benefits and options, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. The number is listed in Medicare & You.

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