Research Fall 2018

New Consumers for Quality Care Survey Reveals Voters Really Want More Clarity, Information & Lower Costs in Health Care Experience

A new survey from Ipsos on behalf of Consumers for Quality Care found that heading into election day, voters are deeply frustrated by unpredictable costs and the lack of transparency in health care.

Health care is a major political issue for Americans in the upcoming midterm election. Clearly, Americans want to see elected officials make improving health care a higher priority. However, Americans do not expect elected officials to be the only ones improving health care; they also see the health industry itself playing a significant role in this improvement.

As in our previous survey, cost is fundamentally the most frustrating part of health care for Americans. However, they would also like to see more clarity and transparency in the health industry. Americans want the health care industry to change and overwhelmingly express a desire for reform that will lower the cost to patients.

Read the CQC survey press release here
Survey Research Memo
Survey Research Presentation
Previous Research
Read The Hon. Donna Christensen’s Op-ed in the Hill here

We also took a closer look at a number of states to determine what sorts of issues state voters have on their minds. Find links to state-specific fact sheets and press releases below.

State Topline Result

Americans are more frustrated by health care costs than coverage or access issues

Very Frustrating
Somewhat Frustrating
Not Very Frustrating
Not At All Frustrating
DK

Hospital fees and unexpected hospital bills

46%
28%
11%
8%
7%

Insurance costs, like premiums, copays and deductibles

38%
33%
14%
10%
5%

Out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs

34%
30%
18%
12%
6%

Insurance does not cover emergency room or urgent care visits

34%
24%
16%
16%
10%

Out-of-pocket costs for routine visits to a doctor

32%
32%
19%
13%
5%

Insurance networks are too narrow, covering too few doctors and specialists

29%
33%
18%
11%
10%

Not being able to get an appointment with your physician or specialist

25%
30%
23%
16%
6%

Obtaining health insurance

22%
27%
25%
21%
6%

Not knowing what kind of health care provider you need to see

20%
31%
23%
18%
8%

Americans desire for more clarity and transparency within the health care industry

Would Help
Would Not Matter
DK

Clarity on what health care providers and medicines are covered by your insurance

77%
15%
8%

Clarity on your out of pocket costs at hospitals

76%
16%
8%

Clarity on your out of pocket costs for prescriptions

74%
18%
8%

How often and why payments for specific health treatments prescribed by your doctor are denied by insurers

73%
17%
10%

What health services providers charge you, versus what those services cost providers

66%
23%
11%

Financial assistance plans offered by pharmaceutical companies to consumers

65%
23%
11%

How much health providers or insurers pay for drugs compared to the cost to you

62%
27%
11%

How much it costs pharmaceutical companies to research and make new drugs

46%
40%
14%

How much pharmaceutical companies spend advertising drugs

45%
42%
13%

This focus on health care costs is reflected in the policy preferences of the supermajority of Americans

Favor
Both/Mix
Oppose
Don't Know

Clarity on what health care providers and medicines are covered by your insurance

80%
9%
5%
6%

Clarity on your out of pocket costs at hospitals

77%
11%
6%
7%

Clarity on your out of pocket costs for prescriptions

75%
12%
6%
7%

How often and why payments for specific health treatments prescribed by your doctor are denied by insurers

69%
14%
9%
8%

What health services providers charge you, versus what those services cost providers

68%
15%
8%
10%

Financial assistance plans offered by pharmaceutical companies to consumers

68%
10%
7%
14%

How much health providers or insurers pay for drugs compared to the cost to you

25%
11%
7%
5%

How much it costs pharmaceutical companies to research and make new drugs

25%
13%
4%
10%