It’s not just the Senate that is debating health care. An opinion survey out this week finds that two out of five Americans plan to spend less this holiday season because of rising health care costs, and three out of ten say health care costs have led to arguments and tension within the family.

The survey, by Misericordia University in Dallas, PA and Braun Research, was undertaken, says the school, to determine how health care issues impact individual budgets and relationships. The researchers contacted more than more than 1,000 Americans by telephone between Nov. 6 and Nov. 16.

Meanwhile, a new Thompson Reuters survey found that 60% of the public supports a publicly financed health insurer (i.e., the “public option”), and 35% strongly believe the quality of health care in the U.S. 12 months from now will be worse than it is today. Only 11.9% strongly believe it will be better. The Misericordia survey found that, in addition to decreased holiday spending and increased tensions, Americans report that their top concerns with health care reform include the cost to future generations and impact on the federal deficit, the cost of out-of-pocket expenses and the accessibility of insurance coverage. Parents and those who classify themselves as “conservative” are more likely to be sensitive to the possible negative impacts of health care reform while parents in general remain more concerned than others with quality and access to care.

Additional findings:

· Nearly a quarter of Americans admit that they would consider withholding information from an insurance provider if it might limit their ability to access health care. Those who consider their views “very liberal” are more likely than others to withhold information or bend the truth about their family’s’ and their personal medical history.

· Nearly a quarter of Americans are taking fewer sick days at work (a finding that bolsters concerns that workers are not taking time off when they get the flu, for fear of losing their job).

· The recession has pressured Americans to change their behavior regarding health care, primarily be visiting the doctor less. A third of Americans are concerned about losing their health care insurance and one in ten Americans has been forced to drop their health care insurance.

· More than 90% of Americans are satisfied with their insurance coverage. However, 33% do not take advantage of preventive health testing/screenings even when it is available through their current coverage—an interesting finding, given the fierce debate over mammograms, and the amendment just passed in the Senate requiring insurers to pay for annual mammograms for all women over 40. Perhaps this issue isn’t all that critical to the electorate?

· The majority of Americans feel either annoyed or frustrated by the current health care debate. Older Americans nearing retirement are following the debate most closely and tend to feel more anger, tension and helplessness.

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Tags: Care Costs, Costs, Health Care, Health Care Costs