Americans' confidence in their ability to access and pay for healthcare remained stable in August, according to a consumer sentiment index produced by Thomson Reuters.

Overall, the Thomson ReutersConsumer Healthcare Sentiment Indexgained one point from 96 to 97, not a statistically significant change. The baseline measurement of 100 was set inDecember 2009.

The index, which is based on the Thomson Reuters PULSE™ Healthcare Survey, has two parts:

• A retrospective component gauges respondents' experiences during the past three months. It tracks whether they postponed, delayed or cancelled healthcare services and whether they had difficulty paying for medical care or health insurance. In August, retrospective consumer sentiment remained at the July level of 96.
• A prospective component gauges respondents' expectations for the next three months. In August, prospective consumer sentiment rose a point, from 97 to 98.