4 in 5 say healthcare reform to up economy

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Four in five U.S. adults say they believe it is important that President Obama includes health reform in plans to address the economy, a survey indicates.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index -- which measures confidence in their health insurance coverage -- rose in September to 96.6, up from 96.1 in August. However, 33.4 percent of Americans reported that they are worried about losing their health insurance at some point in the next 12 months, up from 29 percent in August.

The survey also says that Americans say they believe that health reform will improve their finances. Seventy-six percent report that they believe health reform will improve their personal finances. Additionally 62.2 percent say they believe that health reform will improve the country's finances.

People are worried about being able to afford healthcare in the future. Fifty-three percent of respondents say they are worried that they will not be able to pay for their future healthcare needs in the event of a serious illness. Additionally, 48.2 percent say they are worried that they will not be able to afford all of the routine healthcare services they need.

The RWJF Index is created from data collected by the Surveys of Consumers, a monthly survey of 500 households conducted by the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan.