Statewide health care survey reveals Utahns struggle with high cost

Nearly a third of Utah residents skipped or delayed a medical visit in the past year because of cost concerns. 

That’s among the findings of a new statewide survey from One Utah Health Collaborative. The study, conducted by the Cicero Group, found that soaring health care costs are draining savings and pushing local families into debt, with more than one in five Utahns (22 percent) needing to borrow money or rely on credit to cover medical costs.

“It’s important for us to acknowledge that a single unexpected medical bill is enough to push most Utahns over a financial cliff,” said Scott Barlow, executive director of the One Utah Health Collaborative. “These survey findings confirm the urgency with which we must work together to transform health care in our state.”

Barlow said the survey findings illuminate how the high cost of care is eroding Utahn’s confidence in the health care system, and fueling demand for local action, with 83 percent of Utahns saying the health care system needs adjustment or reform. Twenty-five percent said the Utah state government should take primary responsibility for improving Utah’s health care system, compared to 11 percent who say the federal government is primarily responsible.

The survey of 1,000 Utah residents, aged 18 and older, was conducted last spring and summer.

Other findings of the study include:

• More than one in five skipped filling a prescription or took less than the prescribed dosage to save on costs (21 percent).

• Eighteen percent used up a significant amount of their savings to cover a medical cost.

• 10 percent had to forgo buying or paying for basic necessities like food, utilities or housing due to medical costs.

• Most Utahns would be unable to pay for an unexpected medical bill of $1,000 without incurring debt (60 percent).

“Utahns’ experiences with the high cost of care and concerns about affordability all point to a health care system in need of change,” Barlow said. “We must continue to seek out and drive forward innovative health care interventions that bring down the cost of care, so that Utahns can afford the care they need.”

Barlow also noted that employers who offer health insurance to their employees are also dealing with the rising cost of coverage. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over the past five years, the average annual worker and employer insurance premium contributions have increased by 26 percent. In Utah, premiums are set to rise dramatically next year, with proposed increases of up to 32 percent, he said.

Launched in 2022 by Gov. Spencer Cox, the One Utah Health Collaborative is a neutral, community-owned nonprofit dedicated to improving health care affordability in Utah. “The Collaborative exists to unite leaders across the public and private sectors to tackle this issue together,” the organization’s website says.