US President Barack Obama speaks with Dr. Francis Collins (L) and Dr. Marston Linehan (2L) during a laboratory tour with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (R) at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md. A survey finds most U.S. adults say they willing to pay out-of-pocket for medical tests that aren’t covered by their insurance in order to get a clear diagnosis. UPI/Aude Guerrucci/POOL |
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ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 12 (UPI) -- The vast majority of U.S. adults say they would want to know if they have a serious illness or injury, even if there is no cure, a survey indicates.
The Siemens Healthcare survey showed 92 percent of U.S. adults agreed that "the value of knowing exactly what is wrong with their health is as important as having access to a doctor in the first place" and 78 percent said they would want to have a test done to diagnose a disease, even if there is no treatment or cure available.
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Siemens Healthcare from April 9-11 among 2,222 U.S. adults.
"There is simply a rational, financial and emotional value to knowing if you are sick," Dr. Gregory Sorensen, chief executive officer of Siemens Healthcare, who is also a board certified neuroradiologist, said in a statement.
Medical testing and imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans, as well as clinical diagnostic tools to help diseases have come under increased scrutiny as the nation examines healthcare expenditures.
However, 66 percent said they would be willing to pay out of their own pocket for tests to diagnose serious illness if there were such a test but it was not covered by their insurance.
Eighty percent said they were concerned the government was making decisions about their medical care purely on the basis of cost; but 89 percent said they felt the same way about insurance companies.
No margin of error was provided.
