Data: The Commonwealth Fund; Note: Study defines "medical bill problems" as having difficulty with paying medical bills, having been contacted by a collection agency for unpaid bills, having to change way of life in order to pay medical bills and/or having outstanding medical debt. MOE ± 1.7 percentage points at 95% confidence; Chart: Madison Dong/Axios Visuals
The number of Americans who have health insurance has never been higher — but more than 40% surveyed this year said they struggled to pay medical bills or were paying off medical debt, according to a biennial report from The Commonwealth Fund.
Why it matters: It's the latest evidence that insurance coverage alone can't insulate people against soaring medical costs, leaving some facing long-term financial consequences.
