To view the report in PDF format, you first need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Viewer. The Acrobat Viewer will launch the file so that
you can see the document on your monitor and then print it. Download
Adobe Acrobat.
Download the Report
|
|
July 17, 2007
 Hearing on Working Families in Financial Crisis: Medical Debt &
Bankruptcy
Mark Rukavina, the executive director of the Access Project, gave
testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. In his testimony, Mr.
Rukavina spoke on various aspects of medical debt in the United States.
He noted generally the detrimental effects of financial costs of medical
care and spoke specifically about how it has been affecting many
Americans:
-
Health insurance premiums have increased by 73%,
while wages have only increased by 15%
-
36 million American adults (those under age 65)
have accumulated medical-related debts, nearly 25% of whom have more than
$4,000 accrued
-
Many of those carrying debt are doing so on
credit cards, which have subsequently harmed their credit rating and
purchasing power
-
Those with debt are both among those with and
without health insurance
Mr. Rukavina used data compiled by the Access
Project and other studies to advocate for universal access to
comprehensive health benefits in America. In his conclusion, he urged
those present to consider his testimony when developing new public
policies and programs.
|
OPEN MINDS