Polls show public concern about health care slipping

But Americans are still unhappy with affordability and availability.

By Michael J. Bernstein, AMNews correspondent. Sept. 2, 2002.

Washington -- Terrorism and the economy have pushed health care farther back on the public's list of worries. This could dampen congression0al motivation to address major health issues, public opinion experts say.

"Unless there is a concerted effort to educate the public about health care issues and then there is a groundswell of support for increased Medicare reimbursement, for example, there won't be any action at this time in Congress," said Catherine DesRoches, DrPh, a project director at the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. DesRoches is co-author of "The Continuing Legacy of September 11 for Americans' Health," published online by Health Affairs.

The Harvard authors analyzed polls taken in the months following the attacks and concluded that despite double-digit health insurance premium increases, the public is not demanding immediate government action on health issues in light of greater concerns about terrorism and the slumping economy.

"There is a disconnect between what the physicians, health policy people, the government and the public think are the most important issues," Dr. DesRoches said. She added, however, that if the economy continues to weaken or Americans' perception about it worsens, the public again might become more concerned about health care costs.

Further, if there is a change in the makeup of Congress in the November elections, there might be a chance for some action on health legislation, Dr. DesRoches predicted.

In Harris Interactive polls taken a month before last September's terrorist attacks, Americans ranked health care issues behind education and economy/jobs. A total of 14% said health care was one of the two most important issues for the government to address, compared with 15% for economy and 18% for education. [...]