DEFINING HEALTH CARE AFFORDABILITY
Health care affordability is a pressing concern. Yet to solve the problem, we must
answer the question: “What does affordable health care mean today?”APCO Insight
interviewed opinion leaders and health care providers to answer this question.
AFFORDABILITY
Affordability is clearly a priority — with high rates indicating a range of factors. However, not one
specific cost is identified as most important to address to make health care more affordable.
Affordability in health care is tied to a number of factors:
OUT OF POCKET COSTS
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
When you think about affordability in health care, what does that mean to you?
67%
70%
73%
At equal rates,
Americans say a
range of health care
costs get in the way
of affordability.
SAY LOWER
OUT OF POCKET
HEALTH COSTS
SAY LOWER
PRESCRIPTION
DRUG COSTS
SAY LOWER
INSURANCE
PREMIUMS
74%
70%
76%
Health Care Providers
60%
70%
70%
Opinion Leaders
By Age
While affordability is prioritized equally, there are clear distinctions among age groups.
Prescription drug costs and and insurance premiums are relatively consistent, but lower out
of pocket costs are distinctly less of a priority among younger people.
18-34 Years Old
35-49 Years Old
50-64 Years Old
85%
72%
68%
67%
65+ Years Old
86%
81%
80%
70%
64%
54%
67%
38%
Lower Out of Pocket Health Costs
Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Lower Insurance Premiums
ACA SUPPORT
The Affordable Care Act continues to be a partisan issue among opinion leaders.
How much do you support or oppose the Affordable Care Act?
Total 5.6
Strongly Oppose
Strongly Support
10
0
Republicans 4.1
Health Care Providers 4.9
Democrats 7.9
Opinion Leaders 6.3
Independents 6.1
Of those that oppose the ACA, 76% would repeal the law entirely.
APCO Insight interviewed 287 Health Care Opinion Leaders (n=200) and Health Care Providers (n=87)
between October 9-22, 2015. Interviews were conducted online or over the telephone. Health Care
Opinion Leaders were defined as the top 10 percent most active and engaged segment of the
general public. Health Care Providers included generalists, specialists, nurses and pharmacists.
For more information, please visit rorindicator.com or contact Chrystine Zacherau at
[email protected]