American College of Radiology National Survey Results America Speaks: Imaging is Essential 1,000 American Voters August 31- September 6, 2011
American College of Radiology The American College of Radiology (ACR), one of the world s largest and most influential medical specialty associations, is committed to making medical imaging and radiation oncology safe, effective and accessible. ACR programs advance radiology science and improve patient care. Its 34,000 members include leading diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians. 2
Absolutely Essential 80% of voters who had medical imaging exams during the past five years believe they were absolutely essential to proper diagnosis and treatment of the medical issues for which they were being evaluated. SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN AUGUST 31 AND SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 BY: 3
Methodology On behalf of the American College of Radiology, Marttila Strategies conducted a national telephone survey of 1,000 American voters between Aug. 31 and Sept. 6, 2011. A representative sample of cell phone users was included. For those questions that were answered by 1,000 respondents, the survey results have a margin of error of +/- 3.09 percent. Occasionally, split samples of 500 voters were used. For those questions that were answered by 500 respondents, the survey results have a margin of error of +/-4.38 percent. 4
Medical imaging widely used and highly valued Have you or another family member received medical imaging exams during the past five years? Both Family Member Respondent Yes 76% No 20% 23% 37% 42% 88% rate the value of medical imaging 8, 9, & 10 on a 10-point scale. 10 60% 9 8 13% 15% 5
81% say their medical imaging exams were absolutely essential to proper diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions for which they were being evaluated. Based upon your own experience with imaging exams, which of the following statements is closer to your own views: 81% Exams were absolutely essential Exams were important but not essential Exams were not important 14% 1% 2% Exams failed to provide any useful information 6
81% say their medical imaging exams were absolutely essential to proper diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions for which they were being evaluated. In an era where bipartisan differences affect the public's view of virtually every public policy issue, there is a consensus about the vital importance of medical imaging exams: (% -- absolutely essential). 84% 84% 82% 81% 83% 82% 75% 77% Democrat Republican Independent Liberal Moderate Conservative Women Men 7
Medical imaging exams are a critical component of modern medicine. During the past five years, have you or a family member received any of the following services? (All those saying yes.) X-Rays 78% MRI Ultrasound Exams 52% 50% CT Scan 42% Nuclear Cardiac Scan 17% Radiation Therapy 9% 8
Americans are also highly satisfied with the entire experience of receiving a medical imaging exam. More than 80% say they were very satisfied. And thinking about your entire experience with your medical imaging exams, how satisfied were you with the services you received? (Choose all that apply) Very satisfied 82% Somewhat satisfied Not too satisfied Not at all satisfied 1% 3% 14% Most Americans receive their medical imaging exam at a hospital. Where did you or your family member receive your imaging exam? (Choose all that apply) A doctor's office A hospital A non-hospital imaging center 21% 32% 66% 9
Americans believe U.S. healthcare technology is the best in the world. But a belief in the supremacy of American healthcare and medical research has declined during past decade. The technological capabilities of American healthcare are the best in the world 52% Technological capabilities of many other prosperous countries are every bit as good as America s 39% American medical research is the best in the world Many other prosperous countries produce medical research every bit as good as America 45% 49% American healthcare is the best in the world Many other prosperous countries provide healthcare every bit as good as America 46% 47% 10
Mammograms are highly valued by the women who have received them; more than 80% rate their value 8, 9, or 10 on a 10-point scale. How valuable are mammograms to you with 10 indicating maximum importance: 10 9 8 8% 8% 68% Having a mammogram every year or two gives me a feeling of control over my health: Strongly agree Agree Disagree 9% 18% 71% Having a mammogram will help me find a lump before it can be felt by health professional: Strongly agree Agree Disagree 19% 11% 68% 11
Imaging exams made a vital contribution to those who received them: 49% were able to rule out a prospective medical condition, while 47% were referred for other medical tests or services. Did your diagnostic test results rule out a medical condition or lead to a referral for other medical tests or services? Rule out Referral 49% 47% The exam that ruled out a medical condition was seen to be an overwhelming success. If ruled out, does that mean you thought your diagnostic exam was a success, inconclusive, or a failure? Success Inconclusive Failure 4% 1% 96% 12
Imaging exams made a vital contribution to those who received them: 49% were able to rule out a prospective medical condition, while 47% were referred for other medical tests or services. If yes to referral, was the referral for: 42% 31% 14% 13% Referral to a specialist Surgery Referral back to your primary care provider Another test 13
Voters do not support Medicare payment cuts for medical imaging tests. They believe such cuts would have a huge impact on the early detection of disease. As the super committee considers way to reduce the federal debt do you support or oppose Congress making Medicare payment cuts for medical imaging tests: Strongly oppose Somewhat oppose Somewhat support Strongly support 9% 17% 14% 53% If Congress makes these Medicare payment cuts, how much of an impact do you think these medical imaging cuts would make to the early detection of disease: Great impact Some impact Not much No impact at all 4% 2% 26% 64% 14
Even when given hard hitting information about reasons to cut Medicare reimbursement for imaging, voters still oppose cuts by huge margins: (Which statement is closer to your own view?) MEDICARE SHOULD CONTINUE TO CUT REIMBURSEMENTS FOR MEDICAL IMAGING because the amount of money spent on medical imaging tests is excessive particularly for people on Medicare. Many imaging tests are unnecessary and over utilization of imaging is a primary driver of rising medical costs. Imaging tests are seen as new profit centers by many hospitals and doctors -- who buy this incredibly expensive imaging equipment -- and then compensate for their investment by ordering tests for patients who do not really need them. Therefore, reducing payment for these exams will reduce unnecessary utilization saving money and healthcare resources. And some medical experts believe many of these scans are unnecessary when measured against national medical guidelines -- potentially exposing patients to additional radiation. (statements were rotated) 22% 15
Even when given hard hitting information about reasons to cut Medicare reimbursement for imaging, voters still oppose cuts by huge margins: (Which statement is closer to your own view?) MEDICARE SHOULD STOP CUTTING REIMBURSEMENTS FOR MEDICAL IMAGING because imaging scans save and extend lives every day. Scans cut costs by reducing exploratory surgeries, unnecessary hospital admissions, and by detecting disease and injury early. Reimbursement for scans has already been cut more than any other medical profession or service forcing many providers, particularly in rural areas, to cut services or close. If imaging is cut further, many Americans may not get tests they need. More lives may be lost and Medicare costs will increase, as diseases are not found until at an advanced stage. Finally, dramatic improvements have been made in the safety of imaging machines -- and the medical benefits of these new machines easily outweigh the minimal risk of their use. (statements were rotated) 70% 16
Medicare should STOP cutting reimbursements for medical imaging services. That s the view of 70% of American voters when, after hearing the arguments for and against continued Medicare cuts for imaging services, were asked, Which statement is closest to your own view? In an era where bipartisan differences affect the public s view of virtually every public policy issue, there is a consensus about the importance of stopping further cuts in Medicare reimbursement for imaging services. The consensus holds across party affiliation, political views or gender of the respondents. Total: 70-22% STOP further cuts in imaging reimbursements. All 70% 22% Gender Men Women 66% 74% 26% 18% Political View Conservative Moderate Liberal 64% 74% 75% 27% 17% 23% Party Affiliation Independent Republican Democrat 68% 68% 74% Stop Cuts 23% 24% 19% More Cuts 17
70% of Americans believe the health insurance coverage provided by Medicare is about right and that seniors pay a fair amount for their coverage. Does Medicare make it too easy for people to get coverage, too difficult, or is it about right? Medicare coverage is about right 44% Too difficult to get medical care that is necessary 29% Too easy to get medical care that may not be necessary 18% Americans believe seniors already pay enough for their healthcare. People on Medicare pay enough for their healthcare 70% People on Medicare should pay more for their healthcare to keep the program financially secure 23% 18
As much as Americans support Medicare today, 75% have little belief it will provide the same healthcare benefits for the next generation of seniors as it does for the current generation of seniors. Likelihood that Medicare will provide same coverage for future seniors as it does for those today. 47% 30% 16% 3% Definitely will Probably will Probably will not Definitely will not 19
American voters are in a foul mood about the direction of the country and about the leadership provided by the Congressional leaders of both political parties. By decisive margins, Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Right direction 18% Wrong track 74% Low ratings for the Congressional leaders of both parties: Approve of the job Republican leaders are doing in Congress 24% Disapprove of the job Republican leaders are doing in Congress 61% Approve of the job Democratic leaders are doing in Congress 26% Disapprove of the job Democratic leaders are doing in Congress 61% 20
Voters doubt the Congressional super committee will reach an agreement, much less reach an agreement that is good for average Americans. Likelihood of the super committee reaching an agreement about reducing federal spending and lowering the national debt: Very likely Somewhat likely Not too likely Not at all likely 5% 23% 31% 32% Likelihood that the super committee will reach in the 10 agreements about federal spending and the national debt that is good for average Americans. Very likely Somewhat likely Not too likely Not at all likely 4% 22% 30% 36% 21
By 2 to 1 margins, Americans reject across-the-board cuts in Medicare if the super committee does not come to an agreement. The federal budget is out of control. If the bipartisan committee cannot reach an agreement then across-the-board cuts in federal spending, including Medicare, are necessary. No across-the-board cuts. 32% Across-the-board cuts are no way to modify the benefits of a program as important as Medicare. 60% 22
51% of voters disapprove of the job President Obama is doing. But a plurality believe he was more reasonable than Republicans in debt ceiling negotiations. President Obama s Approval Rating Approve: 40% Disapprove: 51% Who was more reasonable during debt ceiling negotiations? President Obama Republican leaders 35% 41% President Obama Republican leaders Among Independents: 22% 43% 23
The President's healthcare reform legislation, the Affordable Care Act, is unpopular. However, voters are less certain about whether it should be repealed. Is the Affordable Care Act a good idea or bad idea? Good Idea 30% Bad Idea 42% Favor or oppose repealing the Affordable Care Act? Favor 46% Oppose 40% 24
American voters are profoundly concerned about the economy. By decisive margins, they believe creating jobs is a higher priority for the nation than cutting government spending. Which should be a higher priority for the nation right now? Creating jobs Cutting government spending 42% 66% Are you better off/worse off financially than five years ago? Worse About the same Better 19% 39% 42% Looking ahead, will you have enough money in the future to live the kind of life you want? yes No 43% 49% How much do you worry that someone in your family will lose their job? A great deal Quite a bit Only a little/none at all 23% 24% 53% 25