Congress Is Last Resort
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Americans are willing to pay the price for better healthcare -as much as $200 more a year, according to a recent nationwide poll conducted by Luntz Research, a market research firm in Arlington, Va.
The consumer message to managed care organizations is clear - if HMOs won't provide better access to specialists, procedures and managed care information, Congress should step in. These improvements are outlined in the Patient Choice and Access to Quality Health Care Act of 1998 also known as the GAP bill.
"This issue cuts across party, gender, age and ethnic lines, everyone is frustrated with managed care," said Frank Lutz at a press conference here, earlier this month.
The study, commissioned by the Patient Access to Specialty Care Coalition, surveyed 1,005 adults nationwide and found that Americans would rather see sweeping healthcare changes made without Congressional involvement. As a last resort, they support healthcare legislation that ensures better access.
Findings include:
- 97% believe healthcare providers should be required to give their patients full information about their conditions and treatment options.
- 95% want basic managed care plans to be required to allow patients access to specialists.
- 95% support a speedy appeal process for patients who have been denied coverage for benefits or services.
- 47% say the overall quality of healthcare in America has deteriorated over the last 10 years.
But the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) is steadfast in its position that health plans already provide plan summary information and have "well-established" appeals and grievances procedures in place. And on the issue of increasing healthcare costs, HIAA President Bill Gradison warns that a modest one percent hike will result in anywhere from 200,000 to 400,000 people either losing coverage or not getting coverage in the first place.
Luntz Research, Dr. Frank Lutz, 703/358-0080; Patient Access to Specialty Care Coalition, Cathy Cohen, 202/773-6662; HIAA, Richard Coorsh, 202/824-1787)