A new survey finds despite the advent of the Affordable Care Act, the high costs of care remain a major concern for many Americans.
The survey of 1,300 adults comes from the San Diego-based West Health Institute shows that 44 percent of respondents said they didn’t go to a doctor when they were sick or injured last year because of cost.
Nearly 30 percent said they had to choose between paying for care or necessities such as food.
Dr. Zia Agha, medical director of the West Health Institute, said the vast majority of people surveyed had health insurance.
“The idea that people have insurance does not equate with the fact that they still have to bear a significant burden of cost," he said. "In addition, the fact that you have insurance does not guarantee access.”
The survey found dental care is also unaffordable for many people — 39 percent of people surveyed said they didn’t go to a dentist last year when they needed treatment.
