More than half of all working-age Americans responding to the national survey reported they struggle with health care costs. More than one of three are saddled with medical debt, with more than half incurring that debt for care related to ongoing health conditions. The survey also found that 57 percent of people who reported delaying or forgoing care because they couldn’t afford it also said their health problems worsened as a result. “Millions of Americans, regardless of their insurance status, cannot afford to be healthy,” says Sara R. Collins, the lead author of the study.
“While having health insurance is always better than being uninsured, even people who have insurance frequently cannot afford care,” Collins says. “We need policies that expand coverage and tackle the root causes of health care cost growth.”
