Health Care Costs a ‘Burden’ for Many Massachusetts Residents, Poll Says

Nearly half of Massachusetts adults consider health care costs a "burden," and more than one in five opted not to fill a prescription in the last year because of the cost, according to a recent study by the University of Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reports. Researchers surveyed 460 adults, finding that 41% said health costs are either a "heavy burden" or somewhat of a burden. In addition, 20% of respondents said drug costs "have become stiffer" over the last year, and 21% indicated that cost prevented them from filling a prescription in the last year. Still, more than 80% of respondents said they were "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with their health coverage, and about 67% said they would pay more money to maintain their current level of service. In a result that surprised researchers, 22% of respondents said they believe Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitt Romney "would be most able to deal with the health problems facing Massachusetts." Nearly 30% of respondents selected one of three Democratic candidates, state Treasurer Shannon O'Brien, state Senate President Tom Birmingham and former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich. Another Democratic candidate, former state Sen. Warren Tolman, was not selected by any respondents. The increase in health care costs is expected to be a "big issue" this year in the race for governor, the Globe reports (Chesto, Boston Globe, 5/29). (see related story on the gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts)