36 percent of men skipped a recommended medical test or treatment
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 11, 2013) — New data from the Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) show health care costs are a substantial burden for many Kentuckians, especially those with lower incomes and with no insurance.
More than six in ten (64 percent) Kentucky adults said high costs forced them, or a family member living in their home, to put off some form of health care in the past 12 months. For uninsured adults, almost nine in ten (88 percent) reported going without needed health care in the past year because of cost.
“Although our economy is improving, many Kentucky families are still struggling financially. Our research shows healthcare costs have a significant impact on Kentuckians’ actions,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “Timely access to quality, affordable health care is important to restore and maintain Kentuckians’ health and productivity. When we delay or go without care, illness severity and costs can escalate. Based on the KHIP results, many Kentuckians are taking risks with their overall health because of the expense.”
KHIP found that because of the cost:
♦ More than four in ten (43 percent) put off or postponed needed health care.
♦ More than three in ten (36 percent) skipped a recommended medical test or treatment.
♦ Nearly four in ten Kentuckians (37 percent) have not filled a prescription, skipped a dental visit or checkup.
♦ More than three in ten (36 percent) skipped a recommended medical test or treatment.
♦ Three in ten (30 percent) have cut pills in half or skipped doses of medicine because of the cost.
The rising costs of health care do not affect all Kentuckians in the same way. The poll also found nearly four in ten (37 percent) Kentucky adults report that paying for health care and health insurance is not a financial burden. Of those who said health care costs are a burden, co-pays for doctor visits or prescription drugs (18 percent), deductibles (19 percent) and insurance premiums (16 percent) were identified about equally often.
National statistics show that between 2002 and 2012, the employee’s share of the cost of a typical family health insurance plan has increased from $5,866 a year to $11,249 annually which represents a 102 percent increase. As a result, most families are spending a much larger portion of their income on co-pays and health insurance premiums.
The KHIP was funded by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. The poll was conducted September 20-October 14, 2012, by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones. The poll has a margin of error of ±2.5 percent.
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