The Nation - News from March 5, 1986

Americans have unrealistic expectations of the Medicare program and misunderstand retirement health care insurance coverage, a Gallup Poll showed. The poll, conducted for the Northwestern National Life Insurance Co., found that 76% of those questioned overestimate the proportion of health care expenses that Medicare pays for and nearly half believe that Medicare pays double the actual rate. Company Chairman John Pearson said, “These survey results reinforce our view that . . . most Americans aren’t able to plan effectively for their retirement health care.”