New survey shows Oregonians are concerned about high healthcare costs, support policies to address health care prices

May 28, 2024

New survey data released today by OSPIRG shows that while the vast majority of Oregonians have health insurance of some kind, the bulk of respondents are concerned about high health care costs. The analysis showed that most Oregon residents support policies to address hospital prices and prevent surprise bills arising from an ambulance ride. This data comes as state lawmakers are poised to hold a number of health care hearings in Salem later this week, including on hospital finances and billing.

“This survey just confirms what we already know: health care continues to cost too much and deliver too little for Oregonians,” said Charlie Fisher, OSPIRG state director. “In particular, lawmakers should look at hospital prices and billing when they think about how to bring down health care costs overall.”

Key findings from the Oregonians Are Feeling the Pressure of Sky High Health Care Prices survey include:

75% of Oregonians said that the cost of health care is a concern. This is an increase from 69% of voters who were concerned about health care costs in 2021.
32% of Oregonian voters would not be able to pay an unexpected medical bill. Another 44% stated that they would need to borrow from their savings, their family, their friends or a bank.
The two health care-related costs that Oregonians said affect them the most are deductibles and co-pays (34%) and prices charged by hospitals (31%)
Nearly three quarters of Oregonians believe that legislators should take action to reduce hospital prices, including:
- Adopting and enforcing state-level hospital price transparency requirements.
- Eliminating surprise billing for ground ambulance services.
- Prohibiting hospital facility fees for services performed outside the hospital, such as at an outpatient clinic or doctor’s office.
- Preventing health care systems and hospitals from engaging in anti-competitive contracting practices.