A record 25% of Americans say they or a family member put off treatment for a serious medical condition in the past year because of the cost, up from 19% a year ago and the highest in Gallup’s trend. Another 8% said they or a family member put off treatment for a less serious condition, bringing the total percentage of households delaying care due to costs to 33%, tying the high from 2014.<\/p>\n
Gallup first asked this question in 1991, at which time 22% reported that they or a family member delayed care for any kind of condition, including 11% for a serious condition. The figures were similar in the next update in 2001, and Gallup has since asked this question annually as part of its Health and Healthcare poll. This year’s survey was conducted Nov. 1-14.<\/p>\n
Americans’ reports of family members delaying any sort of medical treatment for cost reasons were lower in the early to mid-2000s when closer to a quarter reported the problem. Since 2006, the rate has averaged 30%.<\/p>\n
The pattern is similar for the subset of Americans postponing medical treatment for a serious condition. The rate rose from 12% in 2001 to an average of 19% since 2006. However, the current 25% is the highest yet, exceeding the prior high-point of 22% recorded in 2014.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n “A third of U.S. adults say their family couldn’t afford care in past year | One in four say care was deferred for a serious medical condition” https:\/\/t.co\/ya0Mj6y2fS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Healthcare Advocate (@ClaudiaNichols) December 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n