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Catastrophic illness is not the only health care issue that can send consumers deep into debt. In a newly released Reader's Digest poll, two-thirds of adults 21 and older said they feel they "can't afford to get sick." Among those identified as middle class and "underinsured," one in three said that health care is "completely" or "mostly" unaffordable. About half say they've put off or refused medical treatment for a serious condition, or delayed taking or renewing prescription drugs; 46% have postponed routine annual physicals; and 27% have avoided surgery of some sort.
In our poll, nearly a quarter of the underinsured say they currently have overdue medical bills, and close to half have used credit cards to meet their health costs. Nearly the same number have withdrawn money from their savings to settle their accounts.
View more poll results below:
Affordability of Health Care Costs
Question: Consider the affordability of health care costs for members of your family. Would you say that the costs of all the health care your family needs are: Completely affordable; Mostly affordable; Sometimes affordable and sometimes not; Mostly affordable; or Completely unaffordable?
*Definition: household income $25,000 - $100,000, have health insurance, and have deducted medical expenses from 2004 federal income tax return.
** Telephone survey conducted among 1,003 family householders Feb. - March 2005
Most Responsible for Rising Cost of Health Care
Question: Whom do you hold most responsible for the rising cost of your health care?
*Definition: household income $25,000 - $100,000, have health insurance, and have deducted medical expenses from 2004 federal income tax return.
Biggest Monthly Expense
Question: Not counting your mortgage or rent payment, which of the following is your biggest monthly expense?
*Definition: household income $25,000 - $100,000, have health insurance, and have deducted medical expenses from 2004 federal income tax return.
Actions Taken to Meet Medical Costs
Question: To meet your medical costs, have you ever had to do any of the following?
*Definition: household income $25,000 - $100,000, have health insurance, and have deducted medical expenses from 2004 federal income tax return.
The Most Feared Hardship
Question: Which of the following do you fear the most?
*Definition: household income $25,000 - $100,000, have health insurance, and have deducted medical expenses from 2004 federal income tax return.
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