Many Americans Feel US Healthcare Puts Profit Over Patients

The fight to put the consumer first in healthcare remains as many Americans feel the industry is still putting the mighty dollar ahead of patients.

Results from a recent survey show 82% of Americans believe the U.S. healthcare system puts profits ahead of people, and 72% believe healthcare groups are not doing a good job caring for folks as they age.

The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI ) nationwide survey was conducted as online survey in early September to investigate American views on the U.S. healthcare system, aging, and end-of-life care.

Data was collected from 2,009 survey respondents 35 and older.

Some key findings were:

• 81% Have never had a conversation with a healthcare provider about their wishes for end-of-life care.
• 89% Are equally or more comfortable talking about death than average.
• 75% Say Medicare should cover end-of-life discussions.
• 31% Trust the U.S. healthcare system as a whole.
• 77% Know a little or a lot about hospice.

Respondents in the survey increasingly see the coming Age Wave in the U.S. as a major problem - 76% say the growing number of older people in the U.S. is a problem, up from 58%.

Carole Fisher, NPHI president, said "the survey data reinforces the critical role that our member organizations provide in the communities they serve. They are guided by empathic and compassionate individuals who make critical decisions at the bedside and not the boardroom."

Aging Worries
The survey findings indicate that Americans are uncertain about care options as they age and are reluctant to discuss their personal needs with a healthcare system they do not generally trust, Since late in life care is provided without regard for profit, NPHI members can help ease these concerns, according to an NPHI survey.

NPHI's CEO, Tom Koutsoumpas, said the organization's members are the ultimate safety net for many communities and especially those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

"We welcome patients and their families by providing the highest quality care, mostly in their homes, regardless of race, citizenship status, or ability to pay," Koutsoumpas. "We believe no one living in America should be alone in the hospital at the end of their life but rather wherever they live surrounded by family and close friends."