Americans' confidence in their health insurance coverage – and their ability to access healthcare – rose slightly in September, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index.
The RWJF Index rose in September to 96.6, up from 96.1 in August.
Nevertheless, the September survey saw continued growth in the number of Americans who are worried about losing health coverage. In September, 33.4 percent of Americans reported that they are worried about losing their health insurance at some point in the next 12 months, up from 29.0 percent in August.
When the survey began in April, 21.6 percent of Americans reported worries about losing insurance.
The survey also found that people believe that access to care will increase or stay the same if the health system is reformed. More than two-thirds (67.4 percent) of Americans believe that access to healthcare for the nation will improve or stay the same under health reform. Additionally three-fourths (74.5 percent) believe their personal access to care will improve or stay the same.
The RWJF Index is created from data collected by the Surveys of Consumers, with analysis of the data provided by the University of Minnesota's State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC). The survey evaluates consumer confidence along a spectrum of economic issues including American healthcare.
The RWJF Index ranges from 0 to 200. A baseline was established at 100 in spring 2009, and in September of 2009 questions were added to track respondents' knowledge of and attitudes toward health reform.
Highlights from the September survey include:
- An overwhelming majority of Americans view health reform as key to reviving the economy. More than four in five Americans (81.4 percent) believe it's important that President Barack Obama includes health reform in plans to address the economy.
- People believe health reform will improve their finances. More than three-fourths of Americans (76.1 percent) report that they believe health reform will improve their personal finances. Additionally, 62.2 percent believe health reform will improve the country's finances.
- People are worried about being able to afford future care. More than half of all Americans (53.2 percent) are worried that they will not be able to pay for their future healthcare needs in the event of a serious illness. Additionally, nearly half (48.2 percent) are worried that they will not be able to afford all of the routine healthcare services they need.
The RWJF Index is comprised of two sub-indices compiled by SHADAC. The Recent Health Cost Barriers Index gauges consumers' recent experiences accessing healthcare because of cost concerns and increased from 100.0 in August to 101.9 in September.
The Future Health Cost Concerns Index measures consumers' worries about accessing healthcare or health insurance in the future because of cost and dropped a point in September from 92.2 in August to 91.2.
The survey data for the indices are collected from questions added to the Surveys of Consumers written to construct the RWJF Index. The survey items measure access to healthcare, health insurance and future concerns regarding healthcare.
The Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has conducted the Surveys of Consumers for more than 50 years. The survey's Index of Consumer Expectations is an official component of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Index of Leading Economic Indicators.