Well, any surprise here?  Reading the reviews of the latest Harris Poll released by The Commonwealth Fund below it is clear that REAL HEALTH REFORM is on track and in tune with the American populace. Most Americans, including me are very frustrated with the current health care system.  First, let’s fix the health insurance access mess.  Posted in this blog is “the plan” that will take us a long way to where we want to go in that regard.  Other issues noted in this poll can be summed up by the word communication or lack thereof.  I have commented before about the fact that the health delivery players, especially doctors, hospitals and payers, are very far behind on the curve when it comes to e-health initiatives and implementation. The resistance to doctor / patient email, e prescriptions and other forms of electronic communication is appalling throughout the medical system. No question we need broad reform, but lets start with access and that means health insurance reform . . . jomaxx

Americans are deeply dissatisfied with their healthcare choices, and want the presidential candidates to put healthcare reform high on their campaign agenda according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, and released on Thursday by the Commonwealth Fund, a charitable group promoting healthcare reform.

Investigators polled 1,004 adults over the phone, and found that 82 % believe that the U.S. healthcare system is in need of a complete overhaul.

32% of respondents called for a completely rebuilt health system while 50% felt it required fundamental changes

81% percent of respondents who were insured all year and 89% who were uninsured at some point during the year, called for fundamental change, or complete rebuilding

The survey, “titled Public Views on U.S. Health Care System Organization: A Call for New Directions,” also found that 90 % want “the presidential candidates” to “propose reforms that would improve the quality of healthcare, ensure that all Americans have affordable care, and reduce the number of uninsured.” 80 % said they supported efforts to improve healthcare performance, access, quality, and cost. For example, one in three said their doctors ordered tests that had already been done, or recommended unnecessary treatment.  In fact, the majority “of the people surveyed expressed frustration with the way their healthcare was managed,” with 47% saying that “their healthcare was poorly coordinated; this lack of coordination included not being informed about test results, and having to make several calls to get the results.” Many respondents also “felt that important medical information wasn’t shared between doctors and nurses, or communicated between their doctor and specialists.”

The survey also found that a “large majority of patients say they want doctors to move to an all-electronic format for medical records and prescriptions. In addition, almost “90%…said they want their doctors to be able to share information electronically. Furthermore, “71% said they want their doctors to be able to order prescriptions by way of computers.

Notably, 44% said that they would access their own medical records via the Internet if available, and 48% said they would book appointments and email their doctors, if possible. Only 8% and 18%, said they were able to do that now.

Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis, commented, “It is clear that our healthcare system isn’t giving Americans the healthcare they need and deserve. … The disorganization and inefficiency are affecting Americans in their everyday lives, and it’s obvious that people are looking for reform.”

Public Views on U.S. Health System Organization: A Call for New Directions