High health care costs burden New Hampshire families in more than just dollars
Rising health care costs pose an equity concern. (Getty Images)
In New Hampshire, a majority of our friends and neighbors are delaying or skipping medical care simply because they can't afford the costs. As a state, this is more than troubling – it's tragic.
The New Hampshire Consumer Healthcare Experience Survey, a recent survey that New Futures conducted in partnership with the Healthcare Value Hub at Altarum, revealed alarming statistics about the health care landscape in our state. To put it simply, Granite Staters are struggling to afford health care and they worry about rising health care costs.
The consequences of high costs reach far beyond individual suffering. When our residents delay preventive care or skip necessary treatments, minor health issues can escalate into major ones, ultimately driving up costs for everyone and straining our entire health care system. More than 40% of survey respondents reported they are already struggling to pay their medical bills, creating a cascade of financial hardship that ripples through our communities.
The burden of surprise medical billing further compounds this crisis. Thirty-two percent of New Hampshire residents have been blindsided by unexpected medical bills in the past year, and even more alarming, 1 in 5 of these billing issues remain unresolved.
Some of our residents are even going without health insurance due to high costs. Nearly half of uninsured Granite Staters cited high costs as the main reason for going without health insurance, far exceeding other reasons like not needing coverage or not knowing how to get it.
These aren't just statistics – they represent thousands of New Hampshire families putting off critical medical care, rationing or skipping life-saving medications, and making impossible choices between their health and other essential needs.
To further complicate this issue, hospital mergers have the potential to reshape our health care landscape. The recent approval of Catholic Medical Center's sale to HCA Healthcare, a for-profit organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, adds another layer of uncertainty to an already challenging situation. Hospital mergers can bring changes to health care delivery and raise important questions about the ongoing cost and quality of care available in our communities.
Further, rising health care costs pose an equity concern. One in 3 (or 33%) respondents of color skipped needed medical care due to a distrust of or feeling disrespected by health care providers, compared to 19% of white respondents. People with disabilities and members of their households were also more likely to ration medication, delay or go without care, or find medical bills burdensome due to cost compared to those who did not have a disability or live with someone who does.
This crisis crosses political lines. The survey reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for solutions to address health care affordability struggles. Of residents surveyed, more than 92% indicated the government should take action to cap out-of-pocket costs for life-saving medication; 92% indicated the government should require drug companies to provide advanced notice of price increases; and 91% agreed the government should expand insurance coverage options so that everyone can afford health insurance. Each of these categories earned support from 96% of Democratic respondents and 87% of Republicans. It's clear that our residents are united in calling on their elected officials to prioritize practical solutions to reduce overall health care costs for New Hampshire families.
As our legislators prepare to build the 2025-2026 state budget, we face a crucial choice in where we invest our money. The data is clear. The public sentiment is clear. Now we need our state leadership to be equally clear in their commitment to addressing this crisis. The solution requires sustained and strategic investment in our people and families, as our health and well-being are our most critical assets.
As we enter the budget process, I call on our legislators to prioritize foundational health investments that span all stages of life, from our youngest residents to our oldest. The time to act is now. If we continue this destructive trend, the cost will come not only in dollars but also in lives and the health of our communities.
We must secure a state budget that prioritizes not only individual health and well-being, but the long-term resilience and prosperity of the entire Granite State. The health of our people and our state depend on it.
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