Cost is the Greatest Barrier to Good Healthcare in the United States
Map- Medical Debt by County
“Elizabeth Woodruff drained her retirement account and took on three jobs after she and her husband were sued for nearly $10,000 by the New York hospital where his infected leg was amputated.”
“Allyson Ward and her husband loaded up credit cards, borrowed from relatives, and delayed repaying student loans after the premature birth of their twins left them with $80,000 in debt. Ward, a nurse practitioner, took on extra nursing shifts, working days and nights.”
These are common stories in our country. 100 million people— 41% of all adults— are being systematically pushed into debt by an American healthcare system that is not serving the needs of ordinary people. This problem is far more widespread than reported because it is hidden in credit card balances, payment plans to hospitals, and loans from families.
Medical debt is adding to the hardships of patients with chronic illnesses. Debt levels in U.S. counties with the highest rates of chronic disease can be four times the rate in healthier counties. Not surprisingly debt is also deepening racial disparities. Medical debt reduces saving for retirement, paying for their children's educations, borrowing for college and buying a home.
The map shows the burden of medical debt by county and it is very uneven. I am especially impressed by Minnesota where medical debt levels are low. Minnesota is the one state where the achievement of optimal medical therapy by medical groups is reported publicly. They allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. They have the lowest rate of heart attack in women and on this map they have one of the lowest levels of medical debt in the country. Better care is less expensive care. On the other hand, areas of the country that are less prosperous with large minority populations and high levels of chronic illness have more medical debt.
Our healthcare system is not designed to address chronic disease effectively. High deductibles may prevent patients from getting the care that keeps them out of the hospital and the emergency room. Primary care teams focused on chronic illness can provide better care at lower cost. Making those available to patients without copays would save money in the long run and serve those who depend on us more effectively.
With our programs, people don’t have to suffer from this injustice anymore! Thank Jesus!
Absolutely!