Summary
Findings From the 2001 Health Confidence Survey—The 2001 Health Confidence Survey finds that Americans are increasingly satisfied with the health care they are receiving: 46 percent were extremely or very satisfied in 2001, compared with 39 percent in 2000. However, respondents lack confidence in the future of the health care system: Only 34 percent were extremely or very confident that they will be able to get the treatments they need over the next 10 years. Among those not yet eligible for Medicare, only 21 percent were extremely or very confident that they will be able to get the treatments they need once they are eligible for Medicare or that they will have enough choice about who provides their medical care (18 percent). The survey also found that Americans are generally satisfied with the employment-based system for health coverage, and say that their employer has selected the best plan for its workers. Respondents report they prefer the employer to continue as an intermediary in the purchase of health insurance.