Paying for food and other basic necessities is a challenge for some, while marriage and bankruptcy are other options being pursued.
By Garry Kranz Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Stressed Out:Anxiety about medical bills has a growing number of U.S. workers
in its grip. Nearly 30 percent acknowledge “a serious problem” paying for health
insurance because of the rise of unfavorable economic conditions, according to a
poll by Kaiser Family Foundation. The problem cuts across social classes and
income brackets, even prompting about 7 percent of the population into marriage
as a means of obtaining health coverage. About 42 percent either are delaying or
avoiding medical treatment because of the costs they’ll incur, including
refusing to have prescriptions filled or follow recommended courses of
treatment. About 20 percent say they are having difficulty paying non-medical
bills, and an equal number have been contacted by collection agencies, while 17
percent have nearly exhausted their savings. About 12 percent aren’t able to pay
for basic necessities, with 3 percent declaring personal bankruptcy.
Workforce Management contributing editor Garry Kranz is based in Richmond, Virginia. E-mail editors@workforce.com to comment.
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