Survey: Costs Prevent Coloradans from Seeking Healthcare

A new report released on August 5 by the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) reveals that high healthcare costs are hitting Coloradans hard. According to a media release, an extensive survey found that over two in three of all respondents delayed or went without healthcare due to cost in the last year. Almost three in four of respondents experienced at least one healthcare affordability burden in the past year.

More than 1400 Coloradans were surveyed as part of the Healthcare Value Hub’s Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHESS). According to a CHESS data brief, 83 percent of survey participants worry about affording healthcare in the future. Across party lines, the data brief stated that respondents expressed support for government-led solutions.

CCHI stated that over one-quarter of survey participants said they cut prescription drugs in half, skipped doses, or did not fill prescriptions due to costs. Coloradans across the board support the state taking action on prescription drug costs, which could include standardized pricing, capping out-of-pocket costs, and preventing pharmaceutical companies from charging more in the U.S. than in other countries.

“This survey is critical to understanding how consumers are experiencing health care even as more protections have been enacted,” said Priya Telang, communications manager at CCHI, in a statement.