How proposed cuts to this major national health survey could disadvantage Americans with disabilities
Summary
The U.S. government plans to reduce the size of the National Health Interview Survey, which tracks Americans' health. Researchers worry that cutting many questions will cause the survey to undercount disabled people, making it harder to understand their needs.Key Facts
- The National Health Interview Survey is 69 years old and monitors health data in the U.S.
- The government wants to cut at least half of the survey’s questions to save money.
- Survey response rates have been decreasing over time.
- Shortening the survey may cause many disabled people, such as wheelchair users and those who are blind or deaf, to be counted as not disabled.
- This miscount could affect how the government measures health needs and the impact of programs like Medicaid for disabled Americans.
- Advocates and researchers warn that fewer questions means less accurate information on disability.
- The changes come as civil rights offices face staff cuts and longer wait times for services to disabled students.
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