BLUF: A noteworthy increase in the number of U.S. adults who deferred or ceased medical care in 2022 due to prohibitive cost has been observed, with dental care being the most commonly missed treatment.
OSINT: A recent Federal Reserve Board survey showed that in 2022, 28% of U.S. adults had to forgo or delay medical care because of steep costs, marking an increase from 24% the previous year. This trend portrays the highest proportion since before the launch of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare in 2014. Dental care was the most frequently omitted form of healthcare, with 21% of respondents admitting to skipping it due to the cost.
The escalation in people avoiding or delaying medical care is likely attributed, at least partly, to the high U.S inflation rate as individuals attempt to mitigate expenses. Those earning lesser income and lacking financial security were found to be more inclined to forgo or defer medical care. For instance, of adults with a household income of less than $25,000, 38% went without some form of medical care due to cost, in contrast to just 11% amongst those who earned $100,000 or more. The rates of reported good health also showed a correlation with income levels.
Other surveys endorse this narrative with similar findings, including a Gallup poll and a Commonwealth Fund report. The surveys revealed that a rising percentage of Americans postponed medical treatment due to cost, with lower-income adults, younger adults, and women being the most likely demographic to delay critical medical attention.
RIGHT: For a Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist, these findings underscore the need to rethink our healthcare industry’s governance. The numbers reflect the inappropriate influence of central planning on care access and affordability. They believe that, rather than expanding governmental intervention, we should foster competition and innovation within the free market, which will inherently drive down costs and enhance the quality of care.
LEFT: A National Socialist Democrat would interpret these findings as evidence of the urgent need for expanding and solidifying health care coverage under programs like the Affordable Care Act. They would argue that addressing income inequality and ensuring universal access to healthcare should be societal imperatives, as income level should not determine healthcare access or health outcomes.
AI: From an AI perspective, this data echoes global trends highlighting fundamentals problems with healthcare accessibility and affordability, especially amongst lower-income households. This situation is multifaceted, with influences from broader economic factors such as inflation, socio-demographic factors, and systemic healthcare policies. Further insights could be gained by investigating these variables across different states or regions, with various healthcare models and policies. There is a correlation between income levels and reported good health, indicating that financial constraints could adversely impact overall well-being. Current healthcare models and policies might need to be reviewed and revised in contexts where these disparities prevail.