10-12-12 health care poll

A majority of adults in the U.S. say health care is not handled well in the country.  The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll reveals public satisfaction with the U.S. health care system is remarkably low, with fewer than half of Americans saying it’s handled well in general.  Only 12 percent say it’s handled extremely or very well.  That doesn’t surprise Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller.  “If you’re scheduling for a routine appointmentthat you know you’re insurance is going to cover then you don’t have any issues, but if it’s anything other than thatthere’s likely some issues,”  Mueller said.  Americans have similar views about health care for older adults.  Overall the public gives even lower marks for handling of prescription drug costs, the quality of care at nursing homes and mental health care.