GSS 1972-2024 Cumulative Datafile - Release 3

The health care system is changing rapidly with more and more people 
being treated in Health Maintenance organizations (or HMOs) and in 
managed care plans. How much do you agree or disagree with how the 
HMOs and managed care plans are working? 
B. They prevent doctors from prescribing tests necessary for 
treatment.

The health care system is changing rapidly with more and more people 
being treated in Health Maintenance organizations (or HMOs) and in 
managed care plans. How much do you agree or disagree with how the 
HMOs and managed care plans are working? 
C. They help to control costs.

The health care system is changing rapidly with more and more people 
being treated in Health Maintenance organizations (or HMOs) and in 
managed care plans. How much do you agree or disagree with how the 
HMOs and managed care plans are working? 
D. They prevent people from getting the care they need.

The health care system is changing rapidly with more and more people 
being treated in Health Maintenance organizations (or HMOs) and in 
managed care plans. How much do you agree or disagree with how the 
HMOs and managed care plans are working? 
E. They damage the trust between doctors and patients.

The health care system is changing rapidly with more and more people 
being treated in Health Maintenance organizations (or HMOs) and in 
managed care plans. How much do you agree or disagree with how the 
HMOs and managed care plans are working? 
F. They take important medical decisions out of the hands of 
physicians.

The health care system is changing rapidly with more and more people 
being treated in Health Maintenance organizations (or HMOs) and in 
managed care plans. How much do you agree or disagree with how the 
HMOs and managed care plans are working? 
G. They make it more difficult to see a specialist for problems like 
emotional, nervous, and mental health problems.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
A. Doctors aren't as thorough as they should be.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
B. Doctors always do their best to keep the patient from worrying.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
C. Sometimes doctors take unnecessary risks in treating their 
patients.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
D. Doctors are very careful to check everything when examining their 
patients.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
E. Doctors always treat their patients with respect.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
F. I hardly ever see the same doctor when I go for medical care.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
G. Doctors always avoid unnecessary patient expenses.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
H. Doctors cause people to worry a lot because they don't explain 
medical problems to patients.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
I. The medical problems I've had in the past are ignored when I seek 
care for a new medical problem.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
J. Doctors never recommend surgery (an operation) unless there is no 
other way to solve the problem.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
K. My doctor is willing to refer me to a specialist when needed.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
L. I worry that my doctor is being prevented from telling me the full 
range of options for my treatment.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
M. I worry that I will be denied the treatment or services I need.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
N. I worry that my doctor will put cost considerations above the care 
I need.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
O. I doubt that my doctor really cares about me as a person.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
P. I trust my doctor's judgments about my medical care.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
Q. I feel my doctor does not do everything s/he should for my medical 
care.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
R. I trust my doctor to put my medical needs above all other 
considerations when treating my medical problems.

As you read each of the following statements, please think about the 
medical care you are now receiving. If you have not received any 
medical care recently, circle the answer based on what you would 
expect if you had to seek care today. Even if you are not entirely 
certain about your answers, we want to remind you that your best 
guess is important for each statement. 
S. My doctor is a real expert in taking care of medical problems like 
mine.