Release of 2022 CHCF California Health Policy Survey

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The California Health Care Foundation has conducted a survey of residents’ views on a variety of health care topics annually since 2019.

The California Health Care Foundation and NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research organization, conducted a statewide survey of California’s residents in late 2021 to understand their views on health care policy, as well as their experiences with COVID-19 and the health care system overall.

Key findings from this year’s survey include:

Health care costs. Half of Californians (49%) skipped or postponed some type of health care in the last 12 months due to cost. Among those who postponed care, 47% report that their condition worsened as a result, an increase from last year’s survey (41%).

Problems paying medical bills. One in four Californians (25%) say they or someone in their family had problems paying at least one medical bill in the past 12 months, an increase from 20% in last year’s survey. Forty-three percent of Californians with lower incomes report having issues paying for medical bills, an increase from 32% last year.

Telehealth. More Californians are receiving care via telehealth than last year. More than half (55%) report receiving care by phone in the last 12 months, an increase from 45% in last year’s poll, and more than 4 in 10 (44%) by video, an increase from 35%. Californians are satisfied with the quality of health care they receive via telehealth, with more than 8 in 10 (83%) “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their care by video, and a similar proportion (79%) “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with care by phone.

Equity. Nearly 6 in 10 Californians (59%) believe that the health care system treats people unfairly based on their race or ethnic background — one quarter (26%) “regularly” and a third (33%) “occasionally.” Eighty-three percent of Black Californians expressed this belief, a significantly higher percentage than any other race or ethnic group. In addition, Black and Latinx Californians were more likely than White or Asian Californians to report negative experiences by a doctor or other health care provider.

The 2022 CHCF California Health Policy Survey. January 2022.