A new AARP survey examines the healthcare and prescription drug challenges facing Boomers and older Americans in the weakened economy. The poll of Americans age 45-plus shows positive signs that much of the population is embracing healthy habits and practicing wise use of prescription drugs, but finds they can do more to reduce their healthcare bills and improve their health.
The survey showed significant concern among all age groups about future health care bills. More than one in five Americans age 45 to 64 (21 percent) reported being not very or not at all confident that they could afford medical care in 2009. While those 65 and older were less worried, the effects of the down economy were evident. A full 70 percent of those surveyed who are enrolled in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program said their current Part D premium was as much as they could afford, up from 54 percent in a similar 2007 AARP survey.
The survey found the impact of rising healthcare costs is already alarming. Fifteen percent of all respondents said they had cut back on medications or not filled a prescription in the past year because they could not afford it. Such behaviors may increase patients’ risk of developing more significant health problems that require drastic and costly health care later in life.
Read the survey.
