Poll: 44% Of Americans Skip Doctor Visits Because Of Cost

Because of the high cost of healthcare, 44% Americans didn’t go see a physician last year when they were sick or injured, according to a new survey.
Cost continues to be a barrier to treatment with 40% of Americans who say they "skipped a recommended medical test or treatment in the last 12 months due to cost.” Another 32% were “unable to fill a prescription or took less of a medication because of the cost,” the West Health/NORC poll of more than 1,300 adults said.
“The high cost of healthcare has become a public health crisis that cuts across all ages as more Americans are delaying or going without recommended medical tests and treatments,” West Health Institute chief medical officer Dr. Zia Agha said in a statement accompanying the poll results.

U.S. Concerns About Healthcare High

Fifty-five percent of Americans worry "a great deal" about the availability and affordability of healthcare, topping concerns about 14 other issues Gallup tested. Slim majorities also worry about crime and violence, federal spending and the budget deficit, and the availability of guns.
This year marks the fifth year in a row, and 13th overall, that healthcare has either been first or tied for first among the issues. The economy has topped the list eight times, including every year from 2008 through 2016 (this question was not asked in 2009).

Poll: 3 In 4 Parents Help Their Adult Kids Pay Debts, Living Expenses

According to a recent poll by CreditCards.com, three in four parents with adult kids over the age of 18 help them pay debts and living expenses. Thirty nine percent pay their cellphone, 36 transportation, 24 rent, 21 utilities and 20 percent pay their kids’ student loans.
“As a grad student, it’s kind of impossible to do that – work and study,” said one woman.
The poll also found dads are more likely to pay their kids’ living expenses, married couples help out more often than divorced couples, and parents in the Northeast are significantly more likely than other regions to help with student loans.
Parenting expert Tammy Golds says it’s happening because the cost of living is extremely high.

Poll: Majority believe 'deep state' manipulates U.S. policies

Of the 803 adults polled, 27 percent said they believe the unelected group known as the deep state definitely exists. An additional 47 percent said it probably exists. Sixteen percent said it probably does not exist and 5 percent said they believe it definitely does not exist.
Republicans and independents were more likely to respond that they believe in the existence of the deep state, with 31 percent and 33 percent respectively. Only 19 percent of Democrats said the deep state definitely exists.
Approximately 80 percent of those polled also indicated they believe the U.S. government is monitoring or spying on the actives of American citizens. Fifty-three percent said they believe the activity is widespread, and 29 percent said the monitoring is happening, but is not widespread. Only 14 percent said they believe there is no monitoring happening at all.
Few respondents, or 18 percent, said they believe government monitoring is usually justified. Fifty-three percent, however, said that government monitoring is only sometimes justified and an additional 28 percent said it is rarely or never justified.

Nasrallah: Saudis offered Syria cash to cut ties with Iran

Saudi Arabia offered Syria hundreds of billions of dollars for reconstruction if the war-torn country severed its ties with Iran, the leader of the Lebanon-based terror group Hezbollah claimed.
Hassan Nasrallah said the offer was made twice and was apparently turned down by Assad.