A new statewide poll shows Hoosiers give extremely high marks to hospitals and health care providers for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight percent of Hoosiers said hospitals have responded well during the pandemic and 79% applaud the work of health care providers. The poll, conducted by Bellwether Research and Consulting, surveyed 500 Hoosier voters statewide between Aug. 13-16, 2021.
Hoosiers also trust hospitals and health providers with 76% expressing trust for hospitals and 77% for health care providers. Nearly two-thirds of Hoosier voters say they do not “generally trust" health insurance and drug companies.
“Indiana's hospitals sincerely appreciate the trust that Hoosiers have placed in them, especially during these trying times," said IHA President Brian Tabor. “Our complete focus has been on providing care 24/7 to all patients and maintaining a high state of readiness into the future. We are now wrapping up year two of dealing with a global pandemic and hope we can maintain the trust of Hoosiers as we navigate our way back to a healthier state."
In addition, the poll showed that Hoosiers believe hospitals and health care providers make a positive difference in their communities and are critical to the state's economy.
“Hospitals are the cornerstones of their communities,” said Brad Smith, president, and CEO of Rush Memorial Hospital and incoming Chair of the IHA Board of Directors. “Now more than ever, it is important the community trusts us to care for them.”
Hoosiers also expressed concern about the financial toll COVID-19 is taking on hospitals. Seventy percent expressed concern that hospitals, especially rural and urban safety-net facilities, are at risk of closing. With the impact of increased costs of supplies and other expenditures, suspension of elective procedures, and many patients' avoidance of care, hospitals experienced significant financial losses although federal relief has helped greatly.
Hoosiers point to health insurance companies and drug companies as the drivers of rising health care costs. Seventy-one percent say health insurance companies make too much money, which is three percent higher than last year. Seventy-five percent say drug companies make too much money. Just 42% say hospitals make too much money. In fact, when asked which concerns them more, voters overwhelmingly choose health insurance company profits (77%) over hospital profits (16%), which is a slight increase in insurance concerns from last year.
“Clearly this is a challenging time for all Hoosiers, and it is vital that our health care delivery system remains strong," said Tabor. “We also know that Hoosier consumers and businesses need relief, and we hope that insurance companies will consider rebates and support providers at this pivotal time in our economic recovery. I am continuously amazed and thankful for the hard work and care our frontline health care workers deliver daily,” Tabor said.
