70% of Adults Worry About Healthcare Affordability

A survey conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that 74 percent of surveyed adults worry about their healthcare cost and 70 percent worry about the healthcare affordability.

The national survey of adults reveals individuals’ experiences with topics concerning healthcare costs, insurance plans, perceptions of who is to blame, appetite for change, and feelings about a range of policy reforms.

Despite price transparency efforts, 70 percent of surveyed adults are unsure about the cost of healthcare services after they receive them. Of the respondents, those enrolled in Medicare reportedly have the fewest concerns regarding healthcare services.

The survey found that 92 percent believe the government can reduce costs by requiring hospitals, doctors, and drug companies to be transparent about their prices for healthcare services.

More than half of respondents say costs have resulted in healthcare sacrifices, including delaying or skipping care, experiencing pain, or doing without medications. Of those, 78 percent of participants with plans through the marketplace face the highest sacrifices due to healthcare costs.

“Healthcare costs continue to rise, putting access to high-quality health services out of reach for too many individuals and families, especially those with lower incomes who are disproportionately people of color,” stated survey authors.

Results showed that participants of color, Democrats, and those with the most significant health needs express the most worry about healthcare costs.

The study found that over one-third of adults state healthcare costs had a negative impact on the mental and physical health of themselves or their families. In addition, respondents with the lowest income and most significant needs are harmed the most by high healthcare costs.

Respondents find that the most frustrating cost are surprise bills, health insurance deductibles, emergency room/hospital bills, bills you receive after getting care, and prescription drugs.

Healthcare cost prevents 35 percent of respondents from receiving preventive healthcare services like check-ups, screenings, and lab work. Four in five participants also agree that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure healthcare affordability for everyone. A majority places the blame for rising healthcare costs on the federal government and drug companies.

Over 50 percent want changes to the current health system in place that will bring costs down. There is majority support for all policy ideas that would decrease healthcare costs. Participants believe the most effective policy to reduce cost would be Medicare-for-all and a government-administered health plan known as a public option. 

“Whether or not someone has sacrificed and done without healthcare is closely related to one’s desire for change. A participant’s annual spending on healthcare and their insurance status are also closely connected to a desire for change,” the survey states.

Results found that a personal experience with making healthcare sacrifices due to cost is the top predictor for wanting changes in the healthcare system.