Washington Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey

A survey of more than 1,300 Washington adults, conducted from August 3 to August 16, 2022, found
that:

• Sixty-two percent (62%) of Washington respondents have experienced one or more health care affordability burdens in the past 12 months. Four in five (81%) worry about affording some aspect of health care now or in the future.
• Respondents of color experienced greater affordability burdens than white, non-Hispanic respondents. Overall, 66% of respondents who were Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have experienced one or more healthcare affordability burdens in the past 12 months, including 72% of Black or African American respondents and 73% of Hispanic/Latino respondents, compared to 58% respondents of white, non-Hispanic respondents.
• Respondents living in households with a person with a disability more frequently reported affordability burdens than those without a disabled household member, including: rationing medication due to cost (46% versus 18%); delaying or going without care due to cost (75% versus 46%); and going into medical debt, depleting savings, or sacrificing basic needs due to medical bills (61% versus 28%).
• Thirty-one percent (31%) of respondents of color skipped needed medical care due to distrust of or feeling disrespected by health care providers, compared to 25% of white, non-Hispanic respondents.
• Sixty-one percent (61%) of respondents think people are treated unfairly based on their race or ethnic background in the U.S. health care system somewhat or very often.

Altarum’s Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHESS) is designed to elicit respondents’ unbiased views on a wide range of health system issues, including confidence using the health system, financial burden and views on fixes that might be needed.

Below are Data Briefs with statewide survey results.

2023 Data Briefs

• Healthcare Equity

2022 Data Briefs

• Healthcare Affordability
• Prescription Drug Affordability