The 2012 Consumer's Report's annual prescription poll shows many Americans cannot afford to pay for the multiple prescriptions, doctor visits, or multitude of lab tests ordered by their physicians. About 45% of US adults take an average of 4.1 drugs and among those between 18 and 39 years of age take an average of 2 prescriptions. A stunning 14% were taking 7 or more drugs!
Over the past year 81% of people under age 65 without insurance either declined because of cost to not take a medical test, skipped filling a prescription, or did not do a medical test. With about 50 million people without insurance and another 100 million with insufficient insurance, getting the health care we need is becoming more and more common.