New polling reveals the struggle for health care among low-income Americans

With a favorable administration, public opinion might set the agenda for better coverage

Gallup had a new poll out yesterday with the headline “In U.S., An Estimated 46 Million Cannot Afford Needed Care.” It is a reminder of the role public opinion polls can play in describing the quality of life for the average person, and (hopefully)in reorienting government to solve any problems

In this case, many Americans are doing quite poorly. Gallup’s numbers show that 18% of Americans said they would not be able to afford quality healthcare today if they needed to. There is a deep divide by both race and age. While 16% of whites say they wouldn’t be able to access care, 29% of African Americans and 21% of Hispanics say they wouldn’t be able to afford it. Young people were twice to three times as likely as seniors to say they couldn’t afford coverage.

The past year has been particularly hard for Americans who needed care. Gallup asked people:

Has there been a time in the last 12 months when you or a member of your household had a health problem, but you did not seek treatment due …