The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index found that Americans' confidence in their health insurance coverage and access to healthcare rose slightly in June.
The RWJF Index rose 3.6 points last month to 102.3, up from the May confidence level of 98.7.
The RWJF Index is created from data collected by the Surveys of Consumers, a monthly survey of approximately 500 households conducted by the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan. The survey evaluates consumer confidence along a spectrum of economic issues including American healthcare. Analysis of the data is provided by the University of Minnesota's State Health Access Data Assistance Center.
The June survey also found that minorities and individuals with lower incomes report a lower confidence level in healthcare. White, non-Hispanic respondents had a confidence level of 105.9, while non-white respondents had an overall confidence level of 86.9. People with incomes in the bottom third of those surveyed had a confidence level of 87.5, compared to a confidence level of 118.0 for those in the top third of incomes.
The RWJF Index ranges from 0 to 200. The baseline was established at 100 in spring 2009.
Some highlights from the recent results:
- Americans believe health reform is an important part of addressing the nation's economic crisis. More than 8 in 10 people (84.7 percent) believe it's important for President Barack Obama to reform the healthcare system as a step in solving the nation's economic woes.
- People are worried about being able to afford future care. More than four in 10 Americans (43.3 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 four in 10 (39.8 percent) are worried that they will not be able to afford all routine healthcare services they need (39.8 percent).
- Americans are afraid of losing their insurance in the coming year. Nearly one in four currently insured adults (23.3 percent) fear losing their health insurance at some point in the next 12 months.
- Americans are having trouble paying their medical bills. One in four people (25.8 percent) report having had trouble paying medical bills during the past year.
- People are worried that medical bills will lead to bankruptcy. Nearly a quarter (22.9 percent) report being worried that they will go bankrupt from not being able to pay their medical bills.
The RWJF Index is comprised of two sub-indices compiled by SHADAC. The Recent Health Cost Barriers Index. which gauges consumers' recent experiences accessing healthcare because of cost concerns, rose from 100.0 in May to 101.3 in June. The Future Health Cost Concerns Index, which measures consumers' worries about accessing healthcare or health insurance in the future because of cost, also rose 5.9 points in June to 103.3.
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.