Poll: Majority of low-wage workers put off medical, dental care

A nationwide poll of low-wage workers conducted by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University found that more than half have postposed needed medical or dental care to make ends meet (Source: “Hovering Above Poverty, Grasping for Middle Class,” Washington Post, Aug. 3, 2008).

"Our company doesn't provide medical insurance. I have to provide my own, and I cannot find any that I can afford," said Angela Dobson, 36, a restaurant worker in Anderson County, S.C. "As far as having a full-blown checkup, I have not had one in probably 10 to 15 years."

The poll included 1,350 randomly selected people between the age of 18 and 64 who work at least 30 hours a week and earn no more than $27,000.  The Washington Post is planning a series of articles in the coming weeks to further examine the poll results.