Families across Merced County are struggling under the weight of inflation and soaring living costs, forcing many to make painful choices this holiday season, according to a poll conducted by J. Wallin Opinion Research.
Turlock-based nonprofit Legacy Health Endowment commissioned the poll to better understand the impact of rising costs and how programs created or funded by LHE could be more effective in addressing the overall cost of healthcare.
The poll, conducted Nov. 21-24 by the Irvine-based firm, revealed that inflation and rising living costs have affected a staggering eight out of 10 (79 percent) Merced County residents’ ability to pay bills, buy food, or cover medical expenses.
- Nearly one-quarter (23 percent) chose not to fill a prescription medication due to cost.
- More than a third (34 percent) were unable to eat three meals a day because food was not available or too expensive.
- Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) ate just one meal a day because food was not available or too expensive.
- A quarter of residents avoided going to a grocery store due to rising inflation and the overall cost of living, while 24 percent avoided going to the doctor.
Beyond healthcare, Merced County families are grappling with fundamental survival during the heart of the holidays:
- More than half (52 percent) are struggling to pay their bills.
- Nearly half (48 percent) say they’ll have to choose between paying bills or buying holiday gifts.
- Nearly a supermajority (63 percent) is living paycheck to paycheck with no ability to save.
- Nearly a quarter (23 percent) have fallen behind on utility payments within the past six months, while more than a quarter (26 percent) have not been able to make a credit card payment during that time.
“Clearly, Merced County residents are feeling acute pains of the nation’s cost-of-living crisis,” said Justin Wallin, CEO of J. Wallin Opinion Research, who pointed out that polling shows only 10 percent of county residents feel the government can – or will – do anything to alleviate the challenges. “It is therefore no great surprise the enthusiastic response residents give to a localized approach to reducing their costs of living, revealing not only a great appetite for an effective source of local relief, but opportunity to genuinely help at the local level for willing organizations and coalitions.”
LHE is one such organization providing help to Merced County residents (18 and older) who are not enrolled in Medi-Cal or Medicare and reside in the following ZIP codes: 95301, 95303, 95315, 95322, 95324, 95334, 95374.
“The economic challenges facing Merced County families are extremely troubling,” said Jeffrey Lewis, president and CEO of Turlock-based Legacy Health Endowment, and EMC Health Foundation. “In response, we have created a myriad of programs to aid working families. If you are struggling to find the care you need, please do not hesitate to email me, and we will work to help you. With the holidays soon upon us, staying healthy is more critical than ever.”
LHE and EMCHF programs include:
- Affordable prescriptions: LHE and the EMC Health Foundation have launched a $2 prescription program at Tower Pharmacy, 501 E. Olive St., Turlock. More than 1,000 generic medications and insulin can be filled through this program.
- Free hearing aids: The EMC Health Foundation has partnered with Costco to offer free hearing aids for individuals 55 and older. Contact the Turlock Chamber Foundation at 209-632-2221 to complete the necessary information.
- Adult access to free mental health services: LHE has partnered with Lavender, an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program, to offer free mental health assistance to people 18 and older.
- Diabetic care and medication: LHE launched a new primary care and diabetic medication program, for those 18 and older, in collaboration with The Kind Clinic, 3650 Geer Road, Turlock.
For essential medical care on a sliding fee scale, don't hesitate to get in touch with the following local healthcare providers:
- Castle Family Health Centers (Atwater)
- Livingston Community Health (Livingston, Delhi, Hilmar)
- Community Health Centers of America (Livingston and Gustine), whose Gustine clinic also offers access to UCSF neurologists.
