Deloitte Consumer Survey

Deloitte surveys about 4000 US adults annually to determine perspectives on health care.  Leaving aside methodological issues, the 2012 survey provides interesting glimpses of apparent public opinion.   (Deloitte Survey)   About 34% give the system an A or B, which may not seem great but it is up from 20% in 2012. People generally give high grades to access to innovation and meeting the needs of the insured and the respondent, but low grades to value and meeting the needs of the insured.  All of this likely reflects what the respondents hear and read about our system as much as personal experience.  About 80% say they have a primary care doctor and they are generally happy with him or her.  Hospital costs, fraud, insurer administrative costs and drugs get the most blame for high spending.  One out of four right isn’t too good a statement on how well informed respondents are.

Many people report skipping care due to cost.  While a significant minority say they would use innovative communication and self-management tools, most people want the old-fashioned talk to the doctor method.  Support for health reform has dropped in just a year; only 38% said it was a good first step in 2012 compared to 49% in 2011.  This may reflect electioneering or it may be a result of early experience that costs are not going lower.  Large majorities don’t think the law will lower costs, increase access or improve quality.  Looking more informed now.  Overall, the sense is that people actually are pretty happy with their own care, apprehensive about cost, viewing the system as needing further change, but unwilling by and large to make significant changes in their own beha