KFF Health Tracking poll- May 2020

KFF Health Tracking Poll – May 2020 – Health and Economic Impacts – 9474 | KFF

www.kff.org

Impact of Coronavirus on Personal Health, Economic and Food Security, and Medicaid Key Findings: Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are deferring medical care. Nearly half of adults (48%)

SUMMARY

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues and the U.S. role in global health policy, develops and runs a signature survey project called the “KFF Health Tracking Poll” that releases results multiple times per month. The poll provides consistent and up-to-date information on the public’s opinions, knowledge and experiences with the U.S. health care system. This month, May 2020, the Health Tracking Poll reported on the impact of Coronavirus on personal health, economic and food security and Medicaid.

According to the survey results, 48% of adults reported that they or someone in their household have postponed or skipped medical care due to the coronavirus outbreak. Almost all who have postponed or delayed care due to the virus say that will eventually get the care. Even with almost half of adults reporting their delay in medical care, 86% of adults still reported that their health has “stayed about the same” since the outbreak began. Although physical health in majority of adults has not seen a large decline, many are concerned about their mental health: 39% of adults say they worry that stress related to coronavirus has had a negative impact on their mental health. Among those living in households that experienced income or job loss since the coronavirus outbreak, 46% say the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health, including 13% who say it has had a “major impact.”

Along with the coronavirus pandemic has come increased rates of unemployment and an economic downturn. Since the outbreak began, 31% of adults reported having difficulty paying household expenses. An additional 13% say they have had problems paying for food, 9% have had difficult affording their health coverage, and 11% have had issues paying medical bills. Among adults who have experienced a job loss or had their income reduced due to coronavirus, 49% have had difficulty paying household expenses, with 35% having problems paying credit card bills, 31% reporting issues paying utilities and 28% saying they have fallen behind on their rent or mortgage. Of these adults, 23% have had trouble affording food and paying medical bills. Overall, 26% of Americans say they or a member of their household have skipped meals or relied on charity or government food programs since February. Among the adults who say they or their spouse lost a job or had their hours or income reduced due to coronavirus, 38% say they have skipped meals or relied on charity or government food programs since February.

Due to the negative economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, many states may need to decrease spending. Many adults oppose decreasing spending for the following programs: K-12 public education (80%), police and safety (75%) and Medicaid (74%). Only slight majorities oppose cutting spending on higher education (55%), prison and jail (54%) and environmental protection (54%). A majority of adults support their state decreasing spending on transportation (57%).

Lastly, this month’s health poll discusses Medicaid and its important during this time when families cannot afford health coverage. A majority of Americans (55%) say the Medicaid program is important to them and their family including 37% who say it is “very important.” about one in four (23%) adults who are not currently covered by Medicaid say they or a family member are likely to rely on Medicaid for health care coverage in the next year. KFF continues to track public opinion on both a national health plan, sometimes called Medicare-for-all, as well as more incremental changes such as an optional government-administered health plan, sometimes called a public option. A majority (56%) of the public favors a Medicare-for-all plan in which all Americans would get their insurance from a single government plan (41% oppose). Though, a government administered public option continues to garner more support with two-thirds (68%) in favor of a public option that would compete with private health plans and be available to all Americans (28% oppose).

To read more details from the KFF Health Tracking Poll for May 2020, follow the link.

www.kff.org