One more reason to support meaningful health care reform:
The Consumers Union survey of 1,002 adults from Sept. 17 to 20 found that among the ways people have tried to cut back on health care costs:
- 28 percent put off doctors' visits.
- 25 percent have been unable to afford medical bills or medication.
- 22 percent put off medical procedures.
- 20 percent declined medical tests.
- 20 percent skipped filling prescriptions.
- 15 percent took expired medication.
- 15 percent skipped scheduled dosages of prescriptions.
The problems were more prevalent among households with incomes of less than $50,000 , in which about two-thirds said they'd cut back on health care because of costs. Even where income topped $100,000 , however, about one-third made similar decisions.