Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Breaking Point': Medical Costs Drive More Americans To Push Off Care
CBS News: Surge In Americans Skipping Medical Care Due To Cost, Gallup Says
Nearly a third of Americans — triple the share since March— say they've skipped medical care for a health problem in the previous three months due to concerns about the cost, according to a new study from Gallup and West Health. High medical costs are even impacting higher-income Americans, with 1 in 5 households earning more than $120,000 annually saying they also have bypassed care, the research shows. That's an almost seven-fold increase for higher-income families since March. (Picchi, 12/14)
Modern Healthcare: Many More People Avoiding Care Due To Cost This Year, Survey Shows
Low-income families and people of color have been disproportionately burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting unyielding health equity issues. High healthcare costs hit those who can least afford it the hardest. About 2 in 5 Medicaid beneficiaries and those without insurance have seen their health conditions—typically chronic—worsen over the past year after forgoing care. (Kacik, 12/14)
The Hill: Nearly One-Third Of Americans Skipped Care In Past Three Months Due To Cost: Poll
Twenty percent of those from households that earn more than $120,000 also reported they postponed health care due to financial reasons — an increase from 3 percent in March. Tim Lash, president of the West Health Policy Center, told The Hill that the data showing those earning “significantly higher” than the median income struggling “tells you that we have a real problem.” “It tells me that we're at a breaking point and that it's not just … those that are desperate are not just low-income individuals but even those that are more affluent,” he said. “And we’re gonna have to find a way out of that.” (Coleman, 12/14)
In related news —
Becker's Hospital Review: Most Americans With Medical Debt Owe More Than $2K
About three in four Americans with medical debt owe more than $2,000 and more than four in 10 said they aren't prepared to take on surprise medical expenses, a Dec. 8 survey by Discover Personal Loans found. The survey was conducted between Sept. 23 and 27 and included 1,515 Americans who are 18 and older. (Plescia, 12/9)
In other news about health care during the pandemic —
Fairfield Citizen: Going Shoeless During COVID? Yale Doc Says That’s A Problem
With many people working from home for the past 21 months, padding around the house barefoot or with just socks or slippers, doctors are finding a problem related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Injured and unhealthy feet. The problem has been exacerbated by people delaying health care in general, and thinking their feet don’t have a high priority. (Stannard, 12/13)
