[Martin Savidge, Cnn Anchor:] What role will health care policy play in deciding tomorrow's pivotal vote? Here to discuss the medical issues at stake is Dr. Sandy Fryhofer. Doctor, good to have you with us.
[Sandy Fryhofer, Cnn Medical Consultant:] Thanks, Marty.
[Savidge:] Understand there is a new poll out there measuring the pulse of medical issues.
[Fryhofer:] That's right, Marty. And it appears that about 40 percent of voters are interested in health care issues this election. And according to "The Wall Street Journal," the two issues they care about is the rising number of uninsured Americans and total health care costs. I think we can show you some of the results of this poll. Looking at people that are concerned about the rising number of uninsured, most of these people identify themselves as Democrats. Thirty percent as compared to 20 percent of Republicans. Of those who are concerned about total cost of health care, people identify themselves mainly as Republicans: 26 percent, as compared to Democrats 16 percent. However, if you ask the question which party is more likely to do what you want about health care issues that are important to you, more people said Democrats than Republicans. But the highest percentage came from people who said they just didn't know and, perhaps there's a lot of confusion, and maybe frustration, with these issues.
[Savidge:] Sandy, how big is the problem of uninsured in the United States? And also, is it just a problem with people who are unemployed?
[Fryhofer:] Well, Marty, this is a huge problem. And last year, 2001, there were 41 million who were uninsured. And this is up from 38 million in the year 2000. And 80 percent of these people are working. They're in working families and they have jobs that don't provide health insurance coverage. Or the insurance premiums are so expensive that they can't afford them. What's more, the evidence shows that people without health insurance tend to live sicker and die younger. For example, uninsured women with breast cancer are twice as likely to die as compared to women that have insurance. Uninsured men with colon cancer are two- times more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage compared to those with health insurance. And insured children who need medical or surgical care are four-times more likely not to get the care that they need as compared to children that do have insurance.
[Savidge:] And is the numbered of uninsured still rising?
[Fryhofer:] It does seem to be rising. There are many reasons for this. The economy is one. Unemployment is up. More states are cutting out their programs. And also, the rising health care costs are an issue. Some employers, particularly small businesses, just can't afford to provide health care insurance premiums, and individuals have trouble affording the premiums as well.
[Savidge:] Do you have any idea what we spend on health care?
[Fryhofer:] You're not going to believe this, Marty, and I can't tell you the number of zeros: $1.3 trillion, 13.2 percent of the gross domestic product. And one-third of the health care dollar goes to hospitals. One-fifth goes to doctors. Now, one-tenth goes to prescription drugs. But this is increasing; this is the highest the prescription drug costs are increasing more than any other area. In fact, they increased 15 percent each year, from 1995 to 2000. As we know, this is a big issue for the elderly patients who are on a lot of medications, expensive medications. And some of these people have to choose between buying their groceries and buying their medication. So a big issue for a lot of people out there.
[Savidge:] Huge is more like it. Yes, it is an incredibly large issue. Dr. Sandy Fryhofer, thanks very much for joining us.
[Fryhofer:] Thank you, Marty.
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