In New Hampshire, the majority of our friends and neighbors delay or skip medical care simply because they cannot afford the costs. As a state, it’s more than disturbing – it’s tragic.
THE Survey on experience in health care for New Hampshire consumerA recent survey that new term contracts carried out in partnership with the Healthcare Health Center in Altarum, revealed alarming statistics on the health care landscape in our state. To put it simply, granite staters find it difficult to afford health care and they are concerned about the increase in health care costs.
The consequences of high costs go far beyond individual suffering. When our residents delay preventive care or skip the necessary treatments, minor health problems can degenerate into major, which has finally increased costs for everyone and the maintenance of our health care system. More than 40% of survey respondents said they already had trouble paying for their medical bills, creating a cascade of financial difficulties that waves in our communities.
The burden of surprise medical invoicing further aggravates this crisis. Thirty-two percent of the New Hampshire residents were blinded by unexpected medical invoices in the past year, and even more alarming, 1 in 5 of these billing problems are not resolved.
Some of our residents go even without health insurance due to high costs. Almost half of the non -insured granite staters cited high costs as the main reason to pass without health insurance, far exceeding other reasons such as not needing coverage or not knowing how to get it.
They are not only statistics – they represent thousands of families in New Hampshire by postponing critical medical care, rationing or jumping vital drugs and making impossible choices between their health and other essential needs.
To further complicate this problem, hospital mergers have the potential to reshape our health care landscape. The recent approval of the sale of the Catholic Medical Center in Hca Healthcare, a for -profit -based organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, adds another layer of uncertainty to an already difficult situation. Hospital mergers can make changes to the provision of health care and raise important questions about the cost and quality of care available in our communities.
In addition, the increase in health care costs pose a equity problem. One in 3 (or 33%) respondents in color needs necessary medical care due to distrust or a feeling of disrespect by health care providers, compared to 19% of white respondents. People with disabilities and members of their household were also more likely to ration medication, delay or take care, or find heavy medical invoices due to costs compared to those who had no disability or disability or disability or disability or disability or disability or disability or disability or disability or disability had no handicap or did not live with someone who does it.
This crisis is going through political lines. The survey reveals bipartite support for solutions to combat difficulties in the affordability of health care. Residents interviewed, more than 92% have indicated that the government should take measures to cap the costs of the pocket for vital drugs; 92% indicated that the government should force pharmaceutical companies to provide advanced price increases; And 91% agreed that the government should extend insurance coverage options so that everyone can afford health insurance. Each of these categories obtained the support of 96% of democratic respondents and 87% of Republicans. It is clear that our residents are united to call on their elected officials to prioritize practical solutions to reduce the overall costs of health care for New Hampshire families.
While our legislators are preparing to build the state budget 2025-2026, we are faced with a crucial choice in the place where we invest our money. The data is clear. Public feeling is clear. We now need our state leadership to be just as clear in their commitment to fighting this crisis. The solution requires supported and strategic investments in our employees and our families, because our health and well-being are our most critical assets.
While we are entering the budgetary process, I call our legislators to prioritize fundamental health investments that extend over all stages of life, from our younger residents to our older ones. The moment to act is now. If we continue this destructive trend, the cost will come not only in dollars but also in the life and health of our communities.
We must guarantee a state budget which favors not only individual health and well-being, but resilience and long-term prosperity of the whole granite state. The health of our people and our state depend on it.