Monmouth University has a new poll about healthcare. It says in the last two years 27% of us — just over one in four — have skipped healthcare due to the cost or know family members who have because it is unaffordable. That’s down from the last survey in 2017 when it was 31%.

The survey also found 45% of those surveyed find it hard to pay their deductible and other expenses that come out of pocket. Another 20% say they have thought about getting a new job or starting a business but didn’t because of the need to maintain health insurance coverage.

It is statistics like this that have proponents of Medicare for All saying these are reasons we need a government health insurance program. Healthcare just isn’t affordable. Opponents of the idea say there are market-based solutions that have not been considered or implemented.

In the meantime, bipartisan action is being considered in the Senate by Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Washington Sen. Patty Murray who is a Democrat. They are trying to find ways to lower healthcare costs by eliminating surprise medical bills and dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs.

Source link: The Hill