While the majority of Americans have health insurance through Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, even with this coverage, an increasing proportion of them are struggling to afford their health care. A new Kaiser Health tracking poll reveals the many challenges people with health insurance face paying for care and the increasing worries they have over their long-term ability to get the care they need. Given the pace with which health care premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs are growing, when will Congress address health care costs?
- Today, more than four in ten people (43 percent) say they face difficulties affording their health insurance deductibles and one in three say they struggle to afford their premiums and other out-of-pocket costs.
- Almost three in ten people (29 percent) report trouble paying their health care bills with more than 70 percent of them saying that these bills force them to reduce their spending on food, clothing and other basic needs.
- About one in four people report delaying care (27 percent) or skipping care they were told to get (23 percent) because of the cost. More than one in five people (21 percent) report not filling a prescription.
- About half of people worry about being able to afford needed care.
Two out of three Americans want Congress to take action to lower the amount they pay for health care, seeing it as their number priority. Relatedly, their second priority is reducing the cost of prescription drugs.
If you support Congressional action to rein in prescription drug prices, please sign this petition.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- One in four Americans go without care, struggle to pay high health insurance deductibles
- CBO projects premiums could double after ACA repeal
- Four things to know if your income is low and you have Medicare
- Free local resources to help older adults
- Get Help: Free and low-cost national and local resources
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