The Impact of Medical Debt in Ohio

In the heart of Ohio, a 2022 study conducted by the Urban Institute has unearthed a staggering reality — nearly 1 million people in the state grapple with medical debt, even those covered by health insurance. However, the burden is not distributed equally, as systemic issues such as racism and classism disproportionately affect communities with lower incomes, particularly Black and Latinx individuals.

The Harsh Reality of Medical Debt:

No one should be forced to make the agonizing choice between paying rent and filling a life-saving prescription. Unfortunately, for many, this is an all too real dilemma. The repercussions of medical debt extend beyond health, affecting economic stability. A 2020 report from The Commonwealth Fund sheds light on the negative impacts:

• 48% of individuals with medical debt depleted their savings to settle medical bills.
• 40% experienced a downgrade in their credit ratings due to medical debt.
• 1 in 4 were unable to afford basic necessities such as food, heat, or rent.

Advocacy in Action:

Amidst this crisis, UHCAN Ohio and community advocate Samuel C. in September 2023 took proactive steps to address the pressing issue. Samuel, along with advocates from five other states, journeyed to Washington, D.C., participating in a Medical Debt Day of Action organized by Community Catalyst. Over 70 groups united in urging the Biden administration to take more decisive measures in addressing the medical debt crisis.

Positive Outcomes:

The collective efforts bore fruit within a week, as the Biden administration announced executive actions aimed at shielding individuals from the adverse effects of medical debt on credit scores. Keep an eye out for our upcoming updates, where we’ll delve deeper into this development.

Samuel’s Story:

Personalizing the struggle, Samuel from Ohio shares his poignant medical debt story. Take a few moments to watch the video and gain insight into the challenges faced by individuals in our community.

One of the most effective ways you can keep make health care more affordable for everyone is to tell your experience with the high cost of care or coverage.

Everyone’s Voice Is Important

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