While the news may not come as a huge surprise, recent research shows that people who suffer from chronic illnesses are more likely than others to have large amounts of medical debt.
And, in turn, people suffering from chronic diseases or those requiring long-term medical care may file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy more often in order to reduce their heavy medical debt loads.
In sum, the research portrays a stark picture of an American health care landscape that offers little aid to those who need it most.
According to data compiled by the Commonwealth Fund, and reported on MSNBC.com, Americans were more likely than citizens of other high-income countries to have problems getting medical care because of high rates of medical debt.
Some of the most interesting nuggets of information include:
- High costs of care. The Commonwealth Fund poll questioned 18,000 adults, and found that 42 percent of all Americans with health problems decided to forego medical care because of high costs.
- The burden of debt. In addition, of the adults with chronic health problems, more than 25 percent reported that they were unable to pay all or some of their medical bills.
- U.S.