The Full Spectrum Blog

Value is defined as something being of worth, utility or importance. But how is value defined in the context of the current health reform debate?

Spectrum decided in 2008 to try and figure this out. In January 2009, we fielded the first round of the Spectrum Health Value Study ^TM a national, ongoing online survey to ask Americans what they value when it comes to health care products and services. From over-the-counter drugs to outpatient services, mental health services and the dentist, we sampled, and each quarter will continue to sample, 1,000 Americans who match the U.S. population by age, gender, region and ethnicity. (See methodology explained here).

The most recent data uncovered three major findings concerning the insured and uninsured in the U.S.:

• There are significantly more uninsured people ages 18 and older in the U.S. than the latest Census Bureau statistics indicate (51.2 million currently compared with the 47 million in 2006);
• During the economic downturn, insured respondents reported significant cutbacks on their use of health services, including the use of prescription medications, but have increased their use of mental health services, psychiatric services, and substance abuse services; and
• Although uninsured respondents reported that they believe insurance is "absolutely essential," they still lack coverage.

Read the entire report on the insured and uninsured here.

(Spectrum works with Russell Research to field the study).

-Erica Anderson, Senior Digital Strategist