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Nearly half of Maine families* have taken on medical debt in the last two years, and more than half of those with medical debt have seen their credit scores drop. Medical debt is also a poor predictor** of whether a person will pay other bills.
The Augusta-based nonprofit Consumers for Affordable Healthcare found one in four Mainers surveyed carry $5,000 or more in debt, with most attributed to a hospital service or costly prescription drugs.
Ann Woloson, executive director of the group, said medical bills are forcing too many Mainers to forgo their basic needs.
"It’s clear that too many Mainers are not only losing sleep but facing some financial burdens that affect their ability to put food on the table or pay their rent," Woloson reported.
Nearly half of people surveyed report experiencing pain or discomfort longer than necessary to avoid medical costs. Woloson hopes the data makes state lawmakers more inclined to address the health care affordability crisis.
Nearly half of Maine households have taken on medical debt in the past two years, even though most were covered by insurance, according to new survey by Augusta-based Consumers for Affordable Health Care.
"What we are seeing is because health insurance coverage is getting more expensive- deductibles are increasing, copays are increasing — that more people, even with health insurance, are struggling to pay for the care that they need," says Ann Woloson, the group's executive director.
