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Delaware was ranked among the top 10 most expensive states for health care in a recent national survey. The First State’s position in the study highlights ongoing concerns about the accessibility and affordability of health care in the state.
The analysis, conducted by Overnight Glasses, evaluated all 50 states based on a range of cost metrics, including health insurance premiums, per capita health care spending and the cost of common medical procedures such as MRIs, CT scans and emergency room visits. Costs associated with routine health maintenance, such as vision and dental exams, were also taken into account.
Delaware’s score of 51.94 out of 100 placed it in the top ten. According to the study, the state’s per-person health care spending of $12,899 and emergency room costs of about $1,746 were key factors in the ranking.
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The list of the ten most expensive states for healthcare from the study is:
- Alaska – Score: 82.97
- New York – Score: 74.43
- New Jersey – Score: 64.57
- Vermont – Score: 58.77
- California – Score: 56.99
- Massachusetts – Score: 55.55
- Connecticut – Score: 55.02
- West Virginia – Score: 54.85
- Washington – Score: 54.06
- Delaware – Score: 51.94
The ranking of the state in this study comes against the backdrop of existing healthcare challenges in the state. Local experts continue to express concerns about the difficulties residents face in accessing medical care. Long wait times for appointments with GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals are reportedly common, especially in the counties of Kent and Sussex.
The state’s healthcare system is further strained by a severe shortage of healthcare workers, a situation that professionals say will worsen in the coming years. This shortage is attributed in part to the growth of Delaware’s senior population, which is expected to increase demand for medical services.
You can contact reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.
