The American Public on Health Care-The Missing Perspective - (Page 2)

Introduction October, 2008 Health care is one of the most pressing issues on the minds of Americans today. It’s at the center of debate at every level of the political arena, and one of our nation’s most critical public policy concerns. But in the debate regarding health care today, we rarely hear the perspective of real people—consumers, patients, and average citizens. Until now. This report explores the challenges facing health care in America—the problems and the trade-offs—through the lens of the people most touched by it. What are their experiences, their expectations, their worries? What information do they want and need in order to make more informed decisions about their own care? What is their agenda for health care reform? To get to the heart of Americans’ views on health care, a unique initiative— The American Public on Health Care: The Missing Perspective—was launched by the Council for Excellence in Government with support from the Accenture Institute for Public Service Value and expert guidance from the Institute of Medicine at the National Academies. Over the last eight months, we worked together to review survey data and other research on public attitudes and reform proposals from a variety of perspectives. We also worked with Gallup to conduct new local and national survey research on the public’s views of health care. Most importantly, we visited three cities— Miami, Detroit, and San Francisco—to hear directly from the people in animated town hall discussions. The results of our national poll— released here for the first time—echo the themes we heard from community members across the country. With health care costs on the rise and more than 45 million uninsured Americans, there is a palpable anxiety over cost and access to care. There is widespread uncertainty over how plans for reform would actually affect regular people. And there is strong interest in the power of information to help transform the system. While the voices and opinions within the health care debate are numerous and varied, the most important—and often missing voice—is that of the American people. This report outlines their thoughts, details the specific challenges the American health care system faces now and in the future, and offers suggestions for everyone who has a stake in the system: our Presidential candidates, government leaders, health care providers, employers, and the public. We are very grateful to the many individuals and organizations that took part in this initiative, and we are pleased to offer the missing perspective— the views and voices of the American people- to help focus the health care debate on their questions and concerns. The public perspective must be a critical driver of successful reform. Patricia McGinnis President and CEO The Council for Excellence in Government 2

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