Maine

Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey

A survey of more than 1,200 Maine adults, conducted from January 13 to February 9, 2026, found:

Nearly 3 in 4 (72%) experienced at least one health care affordability burden in the past year;
Over 4 in 5 (82%) worry about affording health care in the future;
Over 2 in 3 (70%) of all respondents delayed or went without health care due to cost in the last twelve months;
Seventy-three (73%) of respondents believe the health care system is unaffordable;
Low-income respondents and respondents with a disability or living in a household with a person with a disability reported higher rates of going without care due to cost and incurring medical debt, depleting savings, and/or sacrificing basic needs due to medical bills; and
Across party lines, respondents express strong support for policy-based solutions.

Below are Data Briefs with statewide and regional survey results.

2026 Data Briefs

2022 Data Briefs

Affordability

Hospital Cost

Prescription Drugs

Recent Surveys

Maine Residents Struggle to Afford High Healthcare Costs; COVID Fears Add to Support for a Range of Government Solutions Across Party Lines

Key Findings A survey of more than 920 Maine adults, conducted from Oct. 18, 2021 to Oct. 28, 2021, found that: A Range of Healthcare Affordability Burdens Like many Americans, Maine adults currently experience hardship due to high healthcare costs. All told,…

Maine Residents Worried about High Drug Costs–Support a Range of Government Solutions

According to a survey of more than 920 Maine adults, conducted from Oct. 18, 2021 to Oct. 28, 2021, residents are concerned about prescription drug costs and express a strong desire for government-led solutions. More than half (55%) of survey respondents report being…

Maine Residents Worry about High Hospital Costs; Have Difficulty Estimating Quality/Cost of Care; and Express Bipartisan Support for Government Action

While hospitals are important healthcare providers and vital members of our communities, a poll of Maine residents, conducted from Oct. 18, 2021 to Oct. 28, 2021, finds that many worry about hospital costs and support government-led solutions across party lines. Hardship and Worry about Hospital Costs…

Maine Survey Respondents Struggle to Afford High Health Care Costs; Worry about Affording Health Care in the Future; Express Bipartisan Support for Policy Solutions

Health care is expensive in the U.S., and Maine is no exception. Nearly three in every four respondents (72%) reported experiencing at least one health care affordability burden in the last year; such as being uninsured due to cost, delaying, or forgoing needed health…

Maine Survey Respondents Worry about High Hospital Costs; Face Challenges Understanding Quality and Cost of Care; Support a Range of Government Solutions

Summary Hospitals provide essential services and are vital to the well-being of our communities. However, a recent survey of over 1,200 Maine adults, conducted from January 13 to February 19, 2026, revealed widespread concern about the cost of hospital care, a lack of confidence…

Altarum in Action

Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner cites CHESS survey in letter to State House Committee on Health and Human Services about HB072 related to reimbursement rates and repealing affordability standards. Read more

Washington State Senator Patty Murray’s office cites the WA CHESS survey in press release about Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing where Senator Murray questioned CEOs of major pharmaceutical companies about the high prices charged to Americans for their prescription drugs. Read more