Ohio Health Care: A Study of Current Challenges and the Support for State Reform

Health care reform in Ohio is in the forefront of many residents’ minds, according to a December 2007 survey of Ohio residents ages 18-64. Concerns related to affordability of health care services, both currently and in the future, dominate the issue. Respondents are also concerned about the number of uninsured citizens and believe it is important to develop affordable, comprehensive health care for everyone.

Key findings include the following:

• Residents believe that the Ohio health care system needs improvement. Almost seven in ten respondents believe that Ohio is either in a state of crises or has major problems with health care. While 19 percent of respondents were uninsured, 83 percent indicate it is extremely or very important that the state work to reduce the number of uninsured residents.
• Ohioans are concerned about future health care costs. One-third of respondents are not confident that they will be able to maintain their current level of health care coverage in the next five years, and seven in ten cite rising health care costs as a major problem for the state.
• Access to affordable, quality health care is a top priority for legislation. Nine in ten respondents say it is extremely or very important for Ohio to make health care more affordable for all residents, and 82 percent strongly agree that all Ohioans should have access to affordable, quality health care coverage. Almost half of respondents identify ensuring affordable health care as the issue most important for the Governor and State Legislature to address.

 

AARP Ohio commissioned Woelfel Research, Inc. to conduct this telephone survey of 800 randomly selected Ohio residents ages 18-64. The survey was conducted December 6-30, 2007. Further information about the survey may be obtained by contacting Erica Dinger of AARP Knowledge Management at 202-434-6176. (27 pages)