Colorado Survey Finds High Costs and Systemic Racism Plague Health Care System

By Consumers for Quality Care, on April 6, 2022

According to Colorado Newsline, a new survey found almost half of all Coloradans have delayed a recommended medical treatment due to affordability or access issues.

Responders said they put off medical care for a few reasons: 30 percent said treatment was not affordable, 19 percent said their insurance denied coverage, and 9 percent said the procedure or treatment was not available where they live.

More than half of responders also said they think systemic racism is a problem in the country’s health care system.

“What we see is a fairly high level of awareness or feeling that our health care system is inequitable and that many people face more barriers to care than some people,” said Adam Fox, the deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

CQC urges lawmakers across the country to continue finding solutions to making health care more affordable and accessible for all consumers.