Views On Health Care Tied To Income
According to the latest CBS News/New York Times Poll, views on what should happen to the nation's health care system are strongly tied to household income.
Americans with lower incomes want to see a major overhaul of the health care system in the U.S., greater government involvement, and more are willing than their higher-earning counterparts to pay more in taxes in order for all Americans to have health care coverage.
When asked their view of the current U.S. health care system, half of Americans earning less than $30,000 a year think there is so much wrong with the system that it needs to be completely rebuilt -- a higher percentage than any income group. Majorities of those earning more think fundamental changes to the system are needed but stop short of endorsing a totally rebuilt system.
By more than 3 to 1, Americans on the lower end of the income scale think the government would do a better job than private insurance companies on providing medical coverage. Fewer than half of those with higher incomes think the government would do a better job.
Still, majorities of all income groups do say the government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, with those earning less money even more likely to support that.
When presented with the option of a government-administered health insurance plan something like Medicare to compete with private health insurance companies, all income groups favor it. Eighty-one percent of those earning less than $30,000 back the idea, as do 68 percent of those earning $75,000 and higher.
There are also differences by income when it comes to whether the government should go as far as requiring all Americans to have health insurance (similar to auto insurance), as long as it provides financial help to those who can't afford it on their own. Fifty-seven percent of Americans earning less than $30,000 think the government should require this, while those earning more are divided.
While those at the lower end of the economic scale may be earning less, a majority of them are willing to pay more for everyone in the U.S. to have health insurance. Sixty-seven percent of Americans earning less than $30,000 would be willing to pay higher taxes so that all Americans would have health insurance they can't lose, compared to 55 percent of those earning $75,000 or higher. There is even less willingness among those with household incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 to pay more in taxes for universal coverage.
QUALITY OF CARE AND COSTS
The level of satisfaction with the quality of one's own health care increases with household income. While majorities of all income groups report being at least somewhat satisfied with the quality of their own health care, just a third (35 percent) of those with incomes under $30,000 are very satisfied with their health care, compared to 60 percent of those earning $75,000 or more. Fewer than half of those in between report being very satisfied with the quality of care they receive.
In addition, those with lower incomes are more likely to be very concerned about the health care costs they and their family might face in the coming years. Sixty percent of those earning less than $30,000 are very concerned, as are 55 percent of those incomes between $30,000-$50,000. Fewer of those with higher incomes report being very concerned.
Cost has impacted care for some people. Four in 10 Americans earning less than $30,000 report having gone without medication they needed because they couldn't pay for it. A third (32 percent) of those earning $30,000-$50,000 also report that. Those earning more money are significantly less likely to have gone without medication because they couldn't afford for it
The poll also finds that those with lower household incomes are more likely to be without out health insurance. Uninsured Americans are generally younger and lower income, more likely to have children under 18 and to be unmarried.
Read more from the CBS News/NY Times poll on health care
Jennifer De Pinto is manager of election and survey information for CBS News. Poll Positions is weekly Hotsheet feature on polling trends from the CBS News Survey and Polling Unit. Click here for more posts from the series.
Americans with lower incomes want to see a major overhaul of the health care system in the U.S., greater government involvement, and more are willing than their higher-earning counterparts to pay more in taxes in order for all Americans to have health care coverage.
When asked their view of the current U.S. health care system, half of Americans earning less than $30,000 a year think there is so much wrong with the system that it needs to be completely rebuilt -- a higher percentage than any income group. Majorities of those earning more think fundamental changes to the system are needed but stop short of endorsing a totally rebuilt system.
VIEWS OF THE U.S. HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BY INCOME
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Minor changes | 11% | 17% | 13% | 13% |
| Fundamental changes | 34% | 61% | 58% | 55% |
| Completely rebuilt | 50% | 21% | 29% | 30% |
| Don't know | 5% | 1% | 0% | 2% |
By more than 3 to 1, Americans on the lower end of the income scale think the government would do a better job than private insurance companies on providing medical coverage. Fewer than half of those with higher incomes think the government would do a better job.
GOVT. VS. PRIVATE INSURERS ON PROVIDING MEDICAL COVERAGE
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Better job | 61% | 48% | 45% | 49% |
| Worse job | 17% | 36% | 42% | 39% |
| No different | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Don't know | 20% | 14% | 10% | 9% |
Still, majorities of all income groups do say the government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, with those earning less money even more likely to support that.
When presented with the option of a government-administered health insurance plan something like Medicare to compete with private health insurance companies, all income groups favor it. Eighty-one percent of those earning less than $30,000 back the idea, as do 68 percent of those earning $75,000 and higher.
GOVT. HEALTH PLAN TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE INSURERS
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Favor | 81% | 78% | 63% | 68% |
| Oppose | 10% | 14% | 31% | 27% |
| Don't Know | 9% | 8% | 6% | 5% |
There are also differences by income when it comes to whether the government should go as far as requiring all Americans to have health insurance (similar to auto insurance), as long as it provides financial help to those who can't afford it on their own. Fifty-seven percent of Americans earning less than $30,000 think the government should require this, while those earning more are divided.
SHOULD GOVT. REQUIRE EVERYONE TO HAVE INSURANCE?
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Yes | 57% | 41% | 46% | 47% |
| No | 26% | 40% | 43% | 43% |
| Don't Know | 17% | 19% | 11% | 10% |
While those at the lower end of the economic scale may be earning less, a majority of them are willing to pay more for everyone in the U.S. to have health insurance. Sixty-seven percent of Americans earning less than $30,000 would be willing to pay higher taxes so that all Americans would have health insurance they can't lose, compared to 55 percent of those earning $75,000 or higher. There is even less willingness among those with household incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 to pay more in taxes for universal coverage.
WILLING TO PAY HIGHER TAXES FOR INSURANCE FOR ALL?
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Yes | 67% | 61% | 47% | 55% |
| No | 27% | 28% | 47% | 43% |
| Don't Know | 6% | 11% | 6% | 2% |
QUALITY OF CARE AND COSTS
The level of satisfaction with the quality of one's own health care increases with household income. While majorities of all income groups report being at least somewhat satisfied with the quality of their own health care, just a third (35 percent) of those with incomes under $30,000 are very satisfied with their health care, compared to 60 percent of those earning $75,000 or more. Fewer than half of those in between report being very satisfied with the quality of care they receive.
SATISFIED WITH QUALITY OF YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE…
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Very satisfied | 35% | 48% | 46% | 60% |
| Somewhat satisfied | 31% | 27% | 35% | 26% |
| Somewhat dissatisfied | 8% | 7% | 4% | 7% |
| Very dissatisfied | 24% | 16% | 12% | 5% |
| Don't Know | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
In addition, those with lower incomes are more likely to be very concerned about the health care costs they and their family might face in the coming years. Sixty percent of those earning less than $30,000 are very concerned, as are 55 percent of those incomes between $30,000-$50,000. Fewer of those with higher incomes report being very concerned.
CONCERN ABOUT HEALTH CARE COSTS IN NEXT FEW YEARS
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Very concerned | 60% | 55% | 44% | 41% |
| Somewhat concerned | 28% | 37% | 47% | 41% |
| Not concerned | 12% | 8% | 9% | 16% |
| Don't Know | 0% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
Cost has impacted care for some people. Four in 10 Americans earning less than $30,000 report having gone without medication they needed because they couldn't pay for it. A third (32 percent) of those earning $30,000-$50,000 also report that. Those earning more money are significantly less likely to have gone without medication because they couldn't afford for it
NOT TAKEN MEDICATION BECAUSE COULDN'T AFFORD IT?
| <$30K | $30K-50k | $50K-75K | $75K+ | |
| Yes | 42% | 32% | 16% | 8% |
| No | 58% | 68% | 84% | 92% |
The poll also finds that those with lower household incomes are more likely to be without out health insurance. Uninsured Americans are generally younger and lower income, more likely to have children under 18 and to be unmarried.
Read more from the CBS News/NY Times poll on health care
Jennifer De Pinto is manager of election and survey information for CBS News. Poll Positions is weekly Hotsheet feature on polling trends from the CBS News Survey and Polling Unit. Click here for more posts from the series.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
I make under $30,000 a year, I support a disabled husband (who does NOT receive SS or medicare), and about 1/3 of my paycheck goes for taxes. My tax return is only a few hundred dollars. My daughter is an adult, so is not a dependent.
I definitely want a government health plan. My husband's medical bills run so high there is no money left over for my care. I'm sick and tired of hearing that low-income folks are deadbeats when the people making those judgments have no idea of what they are talking about.
Also, I agree with the comment that people making under $30,000 don't truly pay taxes, they end up getting every dime back plus some so of course they are willing to pay more for government health insurance (more to them is still zero!) The rest of us will be paying to subsidize their free health care. These are the same people that don't mind spending $150 every few months for sneakers but they are unwilling to invest any money into their health.
First, there are many lower income people who want FREE healthcare, and do not feel they should have to pay at all because they have less money. It's funny though because many of these same people have computers, flat screen TVs and other luxuries, as they feel they deserve what others with higher incomes have. They are wrong, you deserve what you can afford and are not necessarily a victim because you are poor.
Second, there are many in all income levels who feel the system should be overhauled and the middle men cut out to make health care more affordable for all, not just the poor. This idea makes more sense to me as it would benifit people at all levels. The problem is many, especially on the right seem more concerned about cutting away insurance company profits then providing affordable coverage. The bigger problem is to do this you would need a govt' run system which would most likely cut down the quality of the care and would styme competition. Competition is what leads to breakthroughs in technology.
Third, some feel the health care system should be non-profit. While this sounds nice I have spoken to a few doctors I know and they all agree that if the money is not there they will just retire. My father's radiologist who is a great guy put it best. He said "i love what I do and I care about people, but to get where I am takes 70 and 80 hour weeks, time away from my family and involves high amounts of stress. I do this because I love it but I also do it for the money. If the money goes away so will I." He then went on to point out most Dr's are in a position where they could retire tomorrow. This would mean fewer quality doctors, fewer experts teaching in medical schools and lower quality care for all.
There is alot to think about. Maybe the people in the lower income levels need to take some of these factors into consideration, it will negatively affect them just like everyone else.
Bingo, we have found the issue that cuts across all income lines. Optional National Health Insurance where the public and private sectors compete to provide the best care at the lowest prices.
just kidding...
When the current health insurance paradigm costs an arm and a leg and the insurance company can play the runaround game, refusing to pay legitimate claims until people are too fed up to pursue it anymore, or the insurance companies are allowed to engage in the practice of "recission"--dropping people who have legitimate claims and who have faithfully paid their premiums for years...
Is this really a surprise?
The current system is broken.
Are you driving uninsured so you can "stick it to the man"?
If so, Pardon me for not objecting when your azz is, eventually, thrown in jail.
- by Void_Master June 29, 2009 8:42 PM EDT
- Just because a person is "poor" does not mean that he should have to pisz away his hopes and dreams for the future paying to stay healthy. It is particularly unacceptable that insured patients are charged less by hospitals and doctors than those who have no insurance.
- Reply to this comment
See all 16 CommentsFurther, there is a legal precedence already established (at least logically) regarding health care as an entitlement. It is the same paradigm used to hit tobacco companies with major settlements to the states to cover Medicaid costs, presumed to have increased because of tobacco use.