Pennsylvania Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey

An online survey of more than 1,400 Pennsylvania respondents, weighted to be demographically
balanced to the state was conducted from July 11 to July 24, 2023, and found that:

• Nearly 3 in 5 (57%) experienced at least one health care affordability burden in the last year;
• Over 4 in 5 (83%) worry about affording health care in the future;
• Over half (51%) of all respondents delayed or went without health care in the last year;
• Respondents living in rural counties reported higher rates of going without care due to cost and rationing medication compared to respondents living in urban counties. Still, nearly half of those living in urban areas went without care due to cost;
• Nearly 1 in 4 (24% of) respondents said that they or a family member had medical bills overdue, and one-third (33%) incurred medical debt, depleted savings, and/or sacrificed basic needs due to medical bills, with low- and middle-income respondents and those with disabilities most frequently reporting these issues;
• Across party lines, respondents express strong support for government action, and multiple government policies had support from at least 90% of respondents.

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 and regional survey results.

2023 Data Briefs

Statewide

• Healthcare Affordability
• Hospital Prices
• Prescription Drug Affordability

2021 Data Briefs

Statewide

• Healthcare Affordability
• Prescription Drug Affordability
• Policy Support

2018 Data Briefs

Statewide

• Healthcare Affordability
• Surprise Medical Bills

Regional

• Northeast/North Central Pennsylvania
• Southeast Pennsylvania
• South Central/Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania
• Southwest Pennsylvania