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.
Americans are more frustrated by health care costs than coverage or access issues
Hospital fees and unexpected hospital bills
Insurance costs, like premiums, copays and deductibles
Out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs
Insurance does not cover emergency room or urgent care visits
Out-of-pocket costs for routine visits to a doctor
Insurance networks are too narrow, covering too few doctors and specialists
Not being able to get an appointment with your physician or specialist
Obtaining health insurance
Not knowing what kind of health care provider you need to see
Americans desire for more clarity and transparency within the health care industry
Clarity on what health care providers and medicines are covered by your insurance
Clarity on your out of pocket costs at hospitals
Clarity on your out of pocket costs for prescriptions
How often and why payments for specific health treatments prescribed by your doctor are denied by insurers
What health services providers charge you, versus what those services cost providers
Financial assistance plans offered by pharmaceutical companies to consumers
How much health providers or insurers pay for drugs compared to the cost to you
How much it costs pharmaceutical companies to research and make new drugs
How much pharmaceutical companies spend advertising drugs
This focus on health care costs is reflected in the policy preferences of the supermajority of Americans
Clarity on what health care providers and medicines are covered by your insurance
Clarity on your out of pocket costs at hospitals
Clarity on your out of pocket costs for prescriptions
How often and why payments for specific health treatments prescribed by your doctor are denied by insurers
What health services providers charge you, versus what those services cost providers
Financial assistance plans offered by pharmaceutical companies to consumers
How much health providers or insurers pay for drugs compared to the cost to you
How much it costs pharmaceutical companies to research and make new drugs