Mayo Clinic Survey Reveals Americans' Healthcare Eyes Are Bigger Than Their Stomachs

When I was a child, I would routinely heap more food on my dinner plate than I could possibly eat.  My aunt, a keen observer of my dietary behavior, told me that my “eyes were bigger than my stomach.”   In other words, I bit off more than I could chew.

A new study reveals that when it comes to healthcare, Americans have the same problem. The survey, produced by Harris Interactive and the Mayo Clinic, indicates that many are concerned about rising costs, but have little wish to make hard financial and medical choices.  According to the Mayo Clinic: “Costs were the most pressing concern. The vast majority of all respondents (91 percent) said health care costs are too high. Nearly all (99 percent) of uninsured respondents believed health care costs are too high. Consumers at the highest income level (more than $75,000 annually) were most critical of high costs.”

Despite these concerns, Americans say they want access to more care, but are not willing to pay higher taxes to get it. According to Mayo: “A large majority of respondents rejected the idea of a tax increase to pay for reform. Only 15 percent favored paying more taxes.” 

In addition, most rejected rationing as a means of decreasing costs.  According to the Wall Street Journal’s Health Blog: “Eight in 10 called it very or extremely important that patients should have ‘freedom of choice’ to pick insurers, hospitals and doctors. Some 72% said no one should be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, and 70% think care should be based on patients’ preferences.”

To learn more about the study, click here.