Obamacare Is Now So Terrible, People Aren’t Going to Their Doctors — Even When Sick

When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, its supporters celebrated the legislation, calling it a landmark bill that would make Americans healthier and lower health care costs for families. Eight years later, it’s clearer than ever the ACA’s “Obamacare” exchanges have done quite the opposite. Not only are health care costs skyrocketing, the health insurance provided by Obamacare is so expensive for people to use that millions more Americans are now choosing not to go to the doctor — even when they’re sick or injured.

According to a survey by the West Health Institute and NORC at the University of Chicago, 47 percent of respondents said within the past 12 months they chose not to see a doctor or dentist because of the high cost of health care. Four-in-10 said they elected not to pursue a recommended medical treatment or test.

Even more disturbingly, 44 percent claimed they avoided seeing a doctor on at least one occasion while sick or injured because of costs. Twenty-nine percent said they chose not to see a doctor while sick or injured “more than once.” Forty percent said they are “extremely/very afraid” of getting “seriously ill” because of high health care costs.

The survey included only those who self-identified as insured. About two-thirds of respondents reported having private health insurance. Twenty-seven percent said they received their insurance from Medicare. Only 7 percent said they were enrolled in Medicaid.

These results are a dramatic departure from several similar surveys conducted over the past two decades. For instance, in 2014, the Associated Press and NORC conducted a survey that found only 19 percent of privately insured individuals choose not to go to the doctor because of costs. Only 18 percent said they avoided “preventive and recommended care.” (Read more from “Obamacare Is Now So Terrible, People Aren’t Going to Their Doctors — Even When Sick” HERE)

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