Surveyed Wisconsinites Want Health Care Reform Now
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-05-08 19:02:41.568163-04:00
Nearly all respondents to a recently released AARP Wisconsin survey said the state's health care system needs to be reformed. Only 2 percent of those surveyed said the state's health care system has no problems, while 62 percent said it either has "major problems" or is in a "state of crisis."
The 26-page survey is titled "Health Care in Wisconsin: An AARP Survey of Residents Age 18 to 64." Woelfel Research, Inc. conducted the survey on behalf of AARP Wisconsin from March 19-27, 2007. The survey has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.
"We know how much folks across Wisconsin want to see changes in the way our state provides health care," said AARP Wisconsin State President Patricia-Finder Stone. "We know this because we've been asking them and listening to their concerns. These survey results echo the comments we've been hearing statewide. We want everyone to understand how important it is for each of us to stand up, stand together, speak out and hold legislators accountable for their health care promises. We urge our elected officials, business leaders and individuals to come together to create quality, affordable, accessible health care solutions that will benefit all generations."
Nearly half the respondents in the survey (49 percent) said the state's health care system has major problems. Another 13 percent said it is in a state of crisis. And it's not just uninsured residents who believe health care reform is necessary. Eighty percent of survey respondents have health care coverage, and nearly 30 percent said they are in excellent health.
Yet over three-fourths of respondents said it is important for the state to reduce the number of residents without healthcare coverage, and more than 4 out of 5 said it is important for the state to make healthcare more affordable for all residents. More than eight in 10 agreed that all Wisconsinites should have access to the same basic healthcare coverage.
More than half the respondents—56 percent—say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported healthcare coverage for all Wisconsin residents.
"This survey clearly tells us two important things. One, the current health care system in Wisconsin is broken; and two, our legislators need to come together and do something to repair it," Finder-Stone said. "The timing is perfect for politicians to end their gridlock and stop blaming each other for all the stalling, arguing and criticizing that has gotten us nowhere in this debate. Health care isn't a Republican or a Democratic issue—it's an American issue, and a problem that we will only be able to solve together."
"AARP Wisconsin—which now includes more than 805,000 Wisconsinites age 50 and over—sees health care reform not as an impossible dream, but rather as a unique opportunity to encourage cooperation and action," Finder-Stone said.
To obtain a complete copy of the healthcare survey, send an email or call toll-free 1-866-448-3611, ext. 6311.
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