WE WANT WHAT WE WANT!

Here are some new statistics from Deloitte's 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers:

• 93 percent of consumers say they’re not adequately prepared for future health care costs;
• 79 percent of consumers believe health care will be an important issue in the 2008 election;
• 46 percent described it as one of the top three issues that will affect their vote;
• 34 percent say they would use a retail clinic; 16 percent already have;
• 39 percent say they'd go abroad for treatment if quality was comparable and the cost was cut in half;
• 66 percent either strongly support (36 percent) or might support (30 percent) state-mandated health insurance;
  
• 60 percent want physicians to provide online access to medical records and test results, and online appointment scheduling;
• 1 in 4 say they would pay more for the service;
• 1 in 3 consumers say they want more holistic/alternative therapies in their treatment program;
• 3 in 4 consumers want expanded use of in-home monitoring devices and online tools that would reduce need for visits and allow individuals to be more active in their care;
• 66 percent strongly favor or lean toward state-mandated health insurance;
• 84 percent prefer generics to name-brand drugs;
• 29 percent support a tax increase to help cover the uninsured; another 37 percent say they would consider a tax hike;
• Only 52 percent of consumers say they understand their insurance coverage;
• 1 in 4 consumers maintain a personal health record.
  

According to Paul Keckley, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions and co-director of the study, "American's no longer see themselves only as patients, but as consumers who want to take control of their health care,"

I hope so...