News in brief - Jan. 20, 2003
Poll: Americans see higher health costs
Poll: Americans see higher health costs
More than 50% of adults surveyed said their health care costs were higher in 2002 than during the previous year, with prescription drug costs leading the way as the prime culprit, according to a recent Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health Care poll.
The effects seem to be even worse on seniors as well. According to the poll, which queried nearly 2,500 adults in early December 2002, 58% of those 65 or older also reported experiencing higher costs.
When asked what people thought was causing their higher costs, 74% said prescription drug prices, followed by higher hospital fees and rising medical liability insurance at 61% each.
Compared with the 52% who saw higher costs, 39% said they saw no change, while only 9% said their costs were lower in 2002, according to the poll.
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