Most Americans Say They Can Afford Drugs but the Sick Still Struggle
According to an August Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, it appears that most Americans (72%) can afford their prescription drugs. However, one in four Americans surveyed indicate difficulties, including more than four in ten people who are sick. Others facing difficulties paying for their prescription drugs include those with low incomes (33%) or those taking four or more prescription drugs (38%).
Among those with insurance, prescription drug costs rank among a number of other health expenses, with 11 percent saying their prescription drug costs is their most burdensome health care cost, while 17 percent say it is the deductible, 14 percent say it’s their health insurance premiums, and 44 percent say that paying for health care and health insurance is not a financial burden. For those with lower incomes, paying for prescription drugs tops the list, with 17 percent reporting it is their greatest financial burden when it comes to health care costs.
Most of Americans (62%) surveyed in the poll say that prescription drugs developed in the past 20 years have made lives of people in the U.S. much better, including 42 percent who say a lot better. Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.