New Poll Shows Oregonians Struggle with Skyrocketing Health Care Costs, Bipartisan Support for Government Action

Three-quarters of Oregonians have gone without health care due to cost and even more worry about affording care in the future, according to Altarum’s Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey released today. As state lawmakers return to Salem next week, the data also finds overwhelming support for policies to ensure fair and transparent hospital pricing.

“This evidence is clear: we are in a crisis that touches the life of nearly every Oregonian,” said Charlie Fisher, OSPIRG state director. “The time is now for lawmakers to ensure that nobody has to choose between going into debt or going without the care they need.”

Key findings from the survey include:

• 74% of Oregonians delayed or went without health care due to cost in the past 12 months, especially those with disabilities (84%) and low-income respondents (77%).
• 83% of Oregonians worry about affording some aspect of health care, even 82% of those earning more than $100,000.
• 64% of Oregonians believe hospitals are charging too much money.
• 51% of Oregonians say health care is the top issue the government should address in the upcoming year, higher than affordable housing (44%) and the economy (41%).
• 92% of Oregonians believe the government should require hospitals to provide up-front cost estimates, including 93% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans.

This data comes right before state lawmakers return to Salem next week for Legislative Days. During this time, committees will hold hearings on issues that may lead to legislation in the upcoming session. Importantly, the survey found that 75% of Oregonians believe that the healthcare system needs to change, with strong support for a range of policy solutions to lower healthcare costs.

Dynata conducted 1,499 online interviews from June 6 to June 17, 2024. All respondents were Oregon residents ages 18 and older. Respondents were given the option to have the survey conducted in Spanish.