Survey: 40% of Californians Delayed Care in 2014 Because of Costs

About 40% of Californians in the last year have delayed care because of costs, according to a survey by the California HealthCare Foundation, State of Reform reports.

The California HealthCare Foundation publishes California Healthline.

The survey was based on polling data from 2014 (Peters, State of Reform, 4/14).

Findings

According to the survey, 28% of insured respondents said their insurance costs had increased in the last year, compared with 54% who said they stayed the same.

Meanwhile, the survey found that delays in care related to cost varied by health status and race. For example,55% of California adults who reported fair or poor health delayed care in the last year due to costs, compared with 79% of respondents in good or excellent health.

In addition, the survey found:

• 50% of Latino respondents said they delayed care;
• 38% of White respondents said they delayed care;
• 27% of Asian respondents said they delayed care; and
• 26% of African American respondents said they delayed care (CHCF survey, March 2015).

Meanwhile, 21% of respondents said they had trouble finding a primary care physician who would accept Medi-Cal patients. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program (State of Reform, 4/14).