Consumer confidence in health care has fallen by 5% since December 2009, according to the July results of the Thomson Reuters Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index, Reuters reports.
The consumer confidence index is based on monthly surveys of 3,000 U.S. residents.
Respondents were asked if they:
- Face difficulties paying for care;
- Have needed to postpone care during the last three months; or
- Anticipate postponing care in the coming three months.
The results in July were lower on each question than they were in December (Steenhuysen, Reuters, 8/23).
In addition, respondents to July's survey were more likely to expect to delay or cancel a physician visit, laboratory test or medical procedure in the next three months than respondents in June (Thomson Reuters release, 8/23).
Gary Pickens, chief research officer at Thomson Reuters, said that Republican respondents had slightly higher confidence about access to care.
Pickens said confidence has gradually dropped since December, despite occasional peaks. One peak occurred after the national reform law passed Congress in April, Pickens noted.
The July results are "a cause for concern to health care providers and policymakers," Pickens said (Reuters, 8/23).