Aborode Abdullahi Tunde, Oginni Oreoluwa, Abacheng Modesta, Edima Ottoho, Lamunu Emily, Folorunso Tayo Nafisat, Oko Christian Inya, Iretiayo Akinjo Rebecca, Lawal Lukman, Amarachi Ruth, Badri Rawa, Bamigbade Gafar Babatunde, Olanrewaju Omotayo Faith, Agwuna Favour Obianuju, Adesola Ridwan Olamilekan
Healthy Africans Platform, Research, and Development, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Brown School of Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2025 Jan 21;87(2):663-672. doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000002865. eCollection 2025 Feb.
Healthcare debt in the United States is a significant problem, affecting millions of Americans. Many people struggle to pay for healthcare, and approximately 9% owe over $250 due to health costs. Nearly half of US adults find it difficult to afford healthcare, with uninsured individuals and those with lower incomes facing the most significant challenges. Healthcare debt in the United States is a problem with profound consequences. This debt encompasses expenses incurred for various medical services, from hospital stays and surgeries to doctor visits and medications. Healthcare debt casts a long shadow, adversely affecting physical and mental well-being and increasing stress, anxiety, and depression. Unpaid bills lead to the avoidance of necessary care, perpetuating health issues and straining the healthcare system. Beyond health implications, it affects credit history, limits access to credit facilities, and hampers employment opportunities. So, comprehensive healthcare reform emerges as a potential remedy, by expanding access to affordable health insurance, regulating healthcare costs, and addressing coverage gaps could alleviate the impact of healthcare debts. Therefore, exploring the feasibility of transitioning toward a universal healthcare system becomes crucial, offering equitable access to essential medical services and mitigating financial burdens on individuals. As healthcare debts continue to profoundly influence health, economic stability, and social well-being, a holistic approach is imperative for a healthier and economically sound future for all Americans.
美国的医疗债务是一个重大问题,影响着数百万美国人。许多人难以支付医疗费用,约9%的人因医疗费用欠款超过250美元。近一半的美国成年人觉得难以负担医疗费用,未参保者和低收入者面临的挑战最为严峻。美国的医疗债务是一个有着深远影响的问题。这笔债务涵盖了各种医疗服务产生的费用,从住院、手术到看医生和买药。医疗债务影响深远,对身心健康产生不利影响,增加压力、焦虑和抑郁情绪。未付账单导致人们回避必要的治疗,使健康问题持续存在,并给医疗系统带来压力。除了对健康的影响,它还会影响信用记录,限制获得信贷工具的机会,并阻碍就业机会。因此,全面的医疗改革成为一种可能的补救措施,通过扩大获得负担得起的医疗保险的机会、监管医疗费用以及解决保险覆盖缺口,可以减轻医疗债务的影响。因此,探索向全民医疗体系过渡的可行性变得至关重要,这样可以提供公平获得基本医疗服务的机会,并减轻个人的经济负担。由于医疗债务继续对健康、经济稳定和社会福祉产生深远影响,采取整体方法对于所有美国人拥有更健康、经济上更稳健的未来至关重要。