Survey: Most Americans want changes to health care system Posted: April 13th, 2011

U.S. consumers want a patient-centered health care system that better coordinates their care. That's the conclusion of a recent survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation supporting health policy research.

The survey reports that more than two-thirds of Americans have difficulty accessing their doctor while nearly three-fourths are concerned that they will not receive quality health care or be able to pay their medical bills.

Five other findings:

1. 45 percent experienced a problem paying a medical bill or had a health insurance company deny or only partially pay a claim
2. 54 percent felt they were subject to duplicative testing or administrative hassles
3. 72 percent thought the current health care system was fundamentally flawed
4. 92 percent wanted doctors to share information electronically with other health care professionals
5. 93 percent supported greater use of the medical home model which allows one primary physician to coordinate patient care

"The message from this survey is clear: people want an accessible, better functioning health care system that delivers care they can afford," said Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis in a statement.