Updated: January, 2024

Author: Planning Unit, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator, or population measure, is part of our Healthy Vermonters 2030 data set. Read more about how this data helps us understand and improve the well-being of people in Vermont on the Healthy Vermonters 2030 webpage.

Because this data is meant to show how the health of our state changes during the decade from 2020-2030, some indicators may have very few data points for now. Keep checking back to see the progress our public health system and partners are making.

We want to see the percent of adults who don’t see a doctor because they can’t afford it go down to 5% or lower by 2030.

Although we have decreased slightly on this measure since 2020, we can’t be certain yet whether there is a specific reason for this improvement, or whether it is likely to continue. Vermont has remained between 6-10% over the past 10 years, and we are performing better than most other states in the country.

Looking for more data?

• See previous data similar to this indicator from our 2020 Scorecards.
• See the corresponding national Healthy People 2030 objective for delaying healthcare due to cost.
• See a related national Healthy People 2030 objective for delaying healthcare due to cost specifically among adults with a disability.

We know that healthcare can cost a lot of money, making it hard for many people to get the medical help they need. It's important to have regular check-ups and be able to go to the doctor in emergencies. Understanding the things that make it difficult for people to get healthcare is really important.

People who are younger than 18 usually get help with healthcare costs from a program called Medicaid. So, we are specifically interested in understanding why adults who are 18 and older might have trouble paying for healthcare. In Vermont things seem to be better than in other states. In 2022, 10% of adults in the U.S. delayed getting healthcare because it was too expensive, but in Vermont it was only 6%. Still, 6% is a significant number of people who can't get the care they need.

The Vermont State Health Assessment for 2023-2024 has looked at information from different groups and communities across the state. They found out that many people are worried about being able to get healthcare. The report specifically talks about the challenges related to the cost of healthcare for people who are unhoused, older Vermonters, people of color, and people with disabilities. You can see more information and data about people with challenges getting the care they need in the data briefs on the State Health Assessment and Improvement Plan webpage.

Understanding why it's hard for people to get healthcare is important for different groups like healthcare providers, insurance companies, the government, community health workers, and those who provide healthcare at home. The Vermont state government is focused on trying to make it easier for everyone to afford healthcare.

Data briefs which contain data and information about specific groups of people were published as part of the 2023-2024 State Health Assessment. The information highlights the cost of healthcare as a specific barrier for these people:

• unhoused people,
• older Vermonters,
• people of color,
• people with disabilities.

We understand that individuals with disabilities, older adults in Vermont, and those without stable housing are more likely to have ongoing health problems affecting their daily lives. The connection between managing these health issues, limited job opportunities, and the expensive nature of healthcare significantly impacts specific groups of people.

Various factors contribute to the challenges in accessing healthcare more generally. Discrimination, difficulties in finding work and transportation, and unequal social advantages specifically affect a person's financial situation and their ability to receive necessary care.

Inequities across different aspects of a person's life can hinder their access to healthcare. For instance, individuals who are not fully employed may have health insurance, but the high costs of premiums and deductibles can still make it difficult to afford necessary care. Even older adults who are enrolled in Medicare face significant barriers to truly affordable healthcare. See more about how low-income Vermonters with Medicare still need and receive support for paying for medical care. 

Pointing out the unfairness and differences that the data reveals is just the first step toward making health fairness better for everyone in Vermont. The State Health Improvement Plan is a method to use this information to develop and put into action strategies that involve a wide range of partners to actively increase health equity in Vermont.

Using information to figure out who is most affected by the cost barriers to healthcare is a first step in making things better. Fixing problems in many areas connected to health will make it easier for people to get the care they need.

Lots of groups and partners have a part to play in helping us make this better. The Vermont Agency of Human Services Office of Healthcare Reform is one group focused on lowering healthcare costs and preventing them from increasing too quickly. A Health Care Reform Workgroup brings together people from healthcare organizations, insurance companies, government leaders, policy experts, healthcare advocates, and the financial sector. They all work together to find ways to reduce the barrier of healthcare being too expensive.

The target value of 5% for this measure was determined based on past performance and our desire to continue the downward trend we have seen since 2020. This is a goal we think is achievable by 2030 through collective action.

The data for this indicator is collected as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. This survey collects a broad set of self-reported information from adults about themselves and their overall health and wellbeing. You can learn more about the survey and find much more data on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System webpage.