The Public and the Health Care Delivery System — Summary and Chartpack

This summary and chartpack of the results of a survey by NPR and researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health highlight the public’s attitudes and experiences with the American health care delivery system. The new survey sheds light on Americans’ experiences with issues more typically discussed by health policy experts –- including electronic medical records, coordination of care and comparative effectiveness –- all of which have become serious components of reform plans and some of which have been signed into law this year. It also covers public opinion on possible policy changes.

The telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,238 adults was conducted between March 12 and March 22.

The survey is the latest in a series of projects about health-related issues by NPR, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Representatives of the three organizations worked together to develop the survey questionnaire and to analyze the results, with NPR maintaining editorial control over its broadcasts on the surveys.

Summary and Chartpack (.pdf)