Universal Healthcare: A Stark Difference Exists Between U.S. Hispanics and Non-Hispanics – The Latest Americanos Poll® Sheds Light on Attitudes of U.S. Hispanics and Non-Hispanics on Healthcare

(Miami, FL, December 7, 2009) – A new study conducted by Encuesta, Inc., shows that there is a sharp difference in attitudes regarding universal healthcare (defined in the survey as healthcare where everybody has access to some type of health insurance) and having access to affordable healthcare (specified in the survey as only applicable to U.S. citizens and residents) between U.S. Hispanics and non-Hispanics (defined as all other racial and ethnic groups in the proper distribution). Even though the majority of those surveyed have a favorable opinion towards having access to affordable healthcare, Hispanics are more inclined to believe that it is “extremely” or “very important” compared to non-Hispanics (98% vs. 84%; respectively, based on a 5-point rating scale). When it comes to universal healthcare, the differences are more pronounced: while 95% of Hispanics think that the U.S. should have universal healthcare, only 73% of non-Hispanics think so.

The latest Americanos Poll® sheds light on the healthcare attitudes of U.S. Hispanics and non-Hispanics, with special focus on the beliefs of U.S.-born and foreign-born Hispanics as well as unacculturated and acculturated Hispanics. Survey results are available upon request.

“This study is unique in that it is comprehensive in capturing the views of U.S. Hispanics who are acculturated or unacculturated, citizen or non-citizen, registered or not registered to vote as well as including the views of a representative and comparable sample of non-Hispanics” said Martin G. Cerda, President of Encuesta, Inc.

One of the key findings of the study is that the U.S is divided on the issue of how to make the U.S. healthcare system better. Of those surveyed, 48% believe that the U.S. healthcare system could use “some changes but nothing drastic” yet 43% state that the system needs to be “completely overhauled”. Non-Hispanics (55%) tend to agree on “some changes” (vs. 42% of Hispanics) while Hispanics (48%) are more inclined towards a more drastic change (vs. 37% of non-Hispanics).

The survey finds that Hispanics and non-Hispanics:

• View their overall health differently: more than half (57%) of non-Hispanics describe their overall health as “excellent” or “very good” (based on a 5-point rating scale) compared to 41% of Hispanics.
• Are divided in terms of new or different methods for accessing healthcare: the majority of those surveyed (70%) say they are “definitely” open to new possibilities when it comes to accessing healthcare. An overwhelming amount, 79% of Hispanics are open to new possibilities compared to 59% of non-Hispanics. In contrast, 31% of non-Hispanics “may or may not” be open to new possibilities relative to only 13% of Hispanics.
• Are at odds with a government health insurance plan: while 75% of Hispanics favor a government insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plan, only 57% of non-Hispanics favor such a plan.

Survey Methodology

The study is based on a telephone poll conducted by Encuesta, Inc. between November 6-27, 2009, among a nationally representative sample of 302 non-Hispanic and 358 Hispanic adults (ages 18 and over), in their choice of English or Spanish. The random probability sample mirrors the population’s known distribution of demographic, language usage, and acculturation variables.

About Encuesta, Inc.

Encuesta, Inc. is a leading U.S. Hispanic market research and public opinion polling firm that delivers creative and reliable solutions. Serving the Hispanic community since 1989, Encuesta. Inc. helps decision-makers understand Latinos and the best ways to reach them through customized ethnographic and quantitative research, objective analysis, and culturally relevant insights. Backed by exceptional technical ability and highly experienced in-house resources, Encuesta, Inc. maximizes results by implementing the best of both traditional and emerging research techniques. Additionally, the company is responsible for the Americanos Poll®, a pro bono public opinion poll created in 2005 to help bridge the knowledge gap that exists regarding the U.S. Hispanic community.

Encuesta, Inc. / 4990 SW 72 Avenue, Suite 110 / Miami, Florida 33155 / 305-661-1492 / encuesta.com

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