According to a new study reported by the New York Times, health care has officially become the United States’ largest source of debt owed to collections agencies.1
The new research found collection agencies held $140 billion in unpaid medical bills in 2018 — up from an estimated $81 billion in 2016. What’s more, the amount owed has become increasingly concentrated in states that chose not to expand their Medicaid programs.
This report demonstrates how astronomical health care costs are continuing to drive individuals and families past their breaking point, and that it’s only getting worse. But you can be a part of replacing our current broken system with a single-payer system that guarantees health care to all free at the point of service.
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While $140 billion in medical debt owed to collections agencies is a shocking figure, it does not even capture the full extent of medical debt in the U.S. The increasing number of lawsuits filed by hospitals to collect patient debt, as well as medical bills paid by credit cards or on long-term payment plans, are not included in the report.
Neale Mahoney, a health economist at Stanford University and the lead author of this new research, says that, “If you think about Americans getting phone calls, letters and knocks on the door from debt collectors, more often than not it’s because of the U.S. health care system.”
No one should have their life savings and financial security ruined because they got sick or injured. To be a part of our movement for transformative change, please take a moment and RSVP for our Medicare for All Strategy call. It’ll take a strong grassroots movement to win Medicare for All, and we need all hands on deck.
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We look forward to seeing you on Thursday's call!
Jasmine Ruddy
Organizer
Nurses’ Campaign to Win Medicare for All
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