South Middlesex Times

Three-quarters of New Jersey residents have expressed concerns about the cost of health care services and unexpected medical bills, according to a recent poll. The survey, part of the New Jersey Health Matters series by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute in partnership with the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, also found that over 60% of respondents are worried about their monthly health insurance premium and prescription drug costs.

A detailed breakdown reveals that 45% are "very" and another 30% "somewhat" worried about unexpected medical bills. A similar percentage feel anxious about the cost of health care services, with 44% being "very" and 31% "somewhat" worried. Concerns over monthly health insurance premiums were expressed by 36% as "very" and 29% as "somewhat" worried. Prescription drug costs elicited worry from 33% who are "very" and 28% who are "somewhat" concerned.

Linda Schwimmer, president and CEO of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, noted that despite increased insurance coverage, people continue to worry about the underlying costs associated with care or services. “Health care affordability continues to be a top issue for most voters in New Jersey," she said.

Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, pointed out that these concerns reflect national sentiment on health-related costs. She added that concern is even greater among some demographic groups who are impacted the most.

The poll showed disparities in worry levels among different racial groups. Black residents and Hispanic or Latino residents were more likely to say they were “very” worried than white residents when it came to unexpected medical bills, healthcare service costs, and monthly health insurance premiums. Over half of Black respondents and Hispanic or Latino respondents expressed being “very worried” about these issues.

Gender differences were also evident, with women more likely than men to be “very” worried about health-related expenses. The survey also found that worry about these costs decreases as household income and education levels rise. Older respondents, those 65 years or older, expressed the least concern compared to younger age groups.

The results are based on a statewide poll of 1,512 adults conducted from March 26 to April 8 through the Rutgers-Eagleton/SSRS Garden State Panel via web and live calling. The full sample has a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.