HealthDay teamed up with Harris Interactive to poll Americans about proposed reforms aimed at saving the rapidly depleting program that provides federal health insurance for older and disabled citizens. The results showed overwhelmingly that the average beneficiary doesn't want to pay for changes out of his or her own pocket.
Although 83% of the respondents agree that modifications are necessary if Medicare is going to remain affordable and be sustainable for the future, 53% are opposed to higher co-pays and 60% reject the idea of increased deductibles.
A HealthDay article on the survey quoted Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, as saying: "There's a clear majority who think there is a problem that needs to be addressed, but (people also believe) if the changes are going to cost me money in terms of higher co-pays, higher deductibles or higher taxes, no thank you."
So where should the extra money come from? A full 72% of the respondents approved of cutting the price Medicare pays for prescription drugs to pharmaceutical companies, 47% liked the prospect of trimming fees to hospitals, and 41% were all for reducing the amounts paid to physicians. Also, 57% said high-wealth beneficiaries ought to pay more for Medicare than middle- and low-income people.
