For years, we have seen study after study and poll after poll tell us that there are a lot of consumers who choose to forego getting medical care because they are worried about being able to pay for it. A new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reveals significant reductions in the number of Americans delaying or forgoing medical care due to cost, largely due to policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By the Numbers:
- The share of adults who reported delaying or forgoing needed medical care because of cost declined from 12.1% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2022, representing approximately 5 million fewer adults.
- Among adults with family incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL), there was a 27% reduction in cost barriers to care. For families with incomes between 138% and 249% of the FPL, the reduction was 19%.
- The overall share of uninsured adults declined from 14.5% in 2019 to 12.4% in 2022, with the share of adults having continuous full-year coverage increasing from 82.1% to 84.4%
Coverage Trends:
- The overall share of uninsured adults declined from 14.5% in 2019 to 12.4% in 2022. In states that expanded Medicaid, the uninsurance rate dropped from 17.2% to 11%.
- The percentage of adults with full-year coverage increased from 82.1% in 2019 to 84.4% in 2022. States with recent Medicaid expansions saw the most significant increases, from 80.0% to 85.8%.
The Big Picture: Despite these gains, challenges remain. Rising healthcare costs continue to be a barrier for many. Insurers have reported increased healthcare utilization as a financial headwind. Furthermore, about 31% of consumers reported deferring healthcare in 2022 due to costs, highlighting ongoing affordability issues.
