The burden of medical debt in america
This evaluation of presidency information estimates that folks in america owe at the very least $220 billion in medical debt. About 14 million individuals (6% of adults) within the US have medical debt of greater than $1,000 and about 3 million individuals (1% of adults) have medical debt of greater than $10,000.
The share of adults with medical debt varies significantly throughout the US. Hawaii (2.3%) and DC (2.7%) have the bottom shares of adults with medical debt. States with the best shares of adults with medical debt embrace South Dakota (17.7%), Mississippi (15.2%), North Carolina (13.4%), West Virginia (13.3%), and Georgia (12 .7%).
The evaluation relies on information from the 2021 Survey of Earnings and Program Participation, a nationally consultant survey that asks each grownup in a family whether or not they owe cash for medical payments and the way a lot they owe.
The report additionally examines variations in medical debt by age, race and ethnicity, well being standing and for individuals with disabilities.
The evaluation is out there via the KFF-Peterson Well being System Tracker, an internet info middle that displays and charges the efficiency of the U.S. well being care system.