Truven Health Analytics Poll Finds Americans Split on Medicare Reform

Two Thirds of Americans Agree Program Requires Change, But Shy Away from Voucher Program

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While nearly two thirds of Americans believe Medicare needs to undergo some form of change, respondents were not in agreement on the nature of the reform, according to the Truven Health Analytics Health Poll. Truven Health Analytics was formerly the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters

“With two-thirds of the public agreeing on the need for Medicare reform, the nation can now focus on solutions.”

Truven Health Analytics conducts a monthly poll to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range of healthcare issues.

The survey, which asked respondents about their attitudes regarding the Medicare system, found that 65 percent of Americans believe changes need to be made. That figure consisted of 71 percent of Republicans and 58 percent of Democrats. The highest rate (80 percent) of respondents who said they would favor changes to the Medicare system was among those who make over $100,000 per year.

When asked if Medicare would benefit by encouraging competition within the program, half of respondents (50 percent) said they believe that would be the case. Sixty nine percent of Republicans and 31 percent of Democrats said changes to encourage competition were necessary.

A proposed voucher plan was not well received overall. When a voucher plan similar to the one Congressman Paul Ryan proposed prior to the Presidential election was described for respondents, just 35 percent agreed it would be the right way to reform Medicare. Slightly over half of Republicans (52 percent) and one-in-five Democrats (19 percent) agreed with Medicare being turned into a voucher program.

“The first step in any change process is to realize that change is needed,” said Raymond Fabius, M.D., chief medical officer at Truven Health Analytics. “With two-thirds of the public agreeing on the need for Medicare reform, the nation can now focus on solutions.”

The Truven Health Analytics Health Poll is powered by the Truven Health PULSE^SM Healthcare Survey, an independently funded, nationally representative telephone poll that collects information about health-related behaviors and attitudes and healthcare utilization from more than 100,000 US households annually. The figures in this month's poll are based on 3,006 participants interviewed from October 1-11, 2012. The margin of error is 1.8 percent.

About Truven Health Analytics:

Truven Health Analytics delivers unbiased information, analytic tools, benchmarks and services to the healthcare industry. Hospitals, government agencies, employers, health plans, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies have relied on its solutions for over 30 years. Truven Health Analytics combines deep clinical, financial and healthcare management expertise with innovative technology platforms and information assets to make healthcare better, collaborating with customers to uncover and realize opportunities for improving quality, efficiency, and outcomes. Truven Health Analytics owns some of the most trusted, proven brands in healthcare such as Micromedex, Action OI and Advantage Suite. Truven Health Analytics employs approximately 2,200 people worldwide and has its principal offices in Ann Arbor; Chicago; and Denver.

For more information, please visit www.truvenhealth.com.