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A photograph of two people sitting at a table. Facing us is a man in a long-sleeved blue plaid shirt with his right arm on his chest. He is looking across the table at someone in a lab coat, who has their back to us.

High prices for health care are making Washingtonians sick.

Big health industry players like hospital chains, insurance and drug companies are forcing patients to choose between going into debt or going without the care they need.

High and unpredictable costs of health care are driving thousands of Washingtonians to go uninsured, skip treatment and cut medication doses. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Welcome to Fair Health Prices Washington — we’re glad you’re here!

How do high health care costs impact Washington residents?

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“I could not get appropriate assistive devices.”
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“We have put off my husband getting hearing aids because of the cost.”
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“I have skipped dentist appointments because I can’t afford it.”
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“I put off a colonoscopy because the last time it cost me $1,500.”
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“I skip prescriptions or take less of my medications.”
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“I’ve had to pass on prescriptions due to the crazy costs.”
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“I’ve missed out on doctor and dentist appointments.”
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“I did not get a hysterectomy due to cost after insurance.”
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“I avoid going to the doctor because we already have too much debt from treatment.”
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The Problem

Our health care system has been broken for too long. We spend more on health care than any other nation and we have the worst outcomes and access. People are suffering because they can’t afford the cost of going to the doctor or filling their prescription. We want to change that with policy solutions that will make the health care system work better for all Washingtonians.

Learn More About Us

Why It Matters

When you share your experience with high health care costs and medical debt, you help policymakers and legislators understand why they need to act now. Washington residents are suffering because they can’t afford to get the health care they need.

4 out of 5

worry about being able to afford health care.

1 in 4

skip medications, cut pills in half, or don’t pick up prescriptions because of cost.

400,000

are being chased by debt collectors for medical bills.

  • Erin S.

    Erin S.

    I believe that a lot of my chronic pain could have been resolved if I had access to good quality physical and mental health care. But our health care system doesn’t see it that way.

    READ MORE: Erin S.
  • Caleb K.

    Caleb K.

    It’s hard to be at full health when you can’t even afford to go to the doctor.

    READ MORE: Caleb K.
  • Alexandra N.

    Alexandra N.

    What good are treatments if you can’t get them? It’s all about money isn’t it?

    READ MORE: Alexandra N.

Share why high health care prices matter to you. 

SHARE YOUR STORY

The Solutions

New data is helping us understand what’s driving health care spending, including the prices charged by certain large hospital systems, providers, and pharmaceutical suppliers. Fair Health Prices Washington is a partnership of patient groups, advocacy organizations, business leaders, and labor unions working together to make change with a range of data-driven policy options. With your help, we can lower health care prices.

Learn more about policies that can help.

SOLUTIONS