Recession Touches Health Care Consumption, Too
Modern Healthcare: Among other things, Americans cut back on trips to the doctor's office because of the recession, according to a new study. "Researchers from Dartmouth College, Princeton and Harvard universities found that Americans reduced their use of routine care because of a loss of money or job by 26.5%-much more than their counterparts living in Canada, Great Britain, France and Germany. In Great Britain and Canada, citizens sought 5.6% and 7.6% less care, while those living in France and Germany reduced their doctor visits by 12% and 10.3% respectively" (DoBias, 8/17).
Time Magazine: "This is to be expected. In tough economic times, even health care costs are considered discretionary for Americans barely scraping by. Those most likely to cut back on routine medical care, according to the report, are the working poor, the unemployed, and young adults. This is the unlevel playing field the newly enacted health reform law is meant to address. The law will expand coverage to some 30 million more Americans and those will coverage will see their out of pocket expenses for preventive care reduced to $0" (Pickert, 8/17).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.