Combatting Rising Healthcare Costs for Healthier Adults

Summary

In 2020, healthcare expenditures averaged $12,530 per person, up 9.7% from 2019. In 2018, 19% of U.S. households had medical debt with $2,000 being the median amount owed. Over half of adults between 18 to 64 years of age are estimated to experience some form of medical financial hardship including medical bills or debt, stress about medical bills, and delaying or forgoing treatment specifically due to cost. In 2022, Washington University researchers conducted a survey of 140 Medicaid and Marketplace members. One-third of respondents reported having unpaid medical bills. This brief is a summary of our findings and policy recommendations.

This work was originally published by scholars with the Social Policy Institute at Washington University. The Institute integrated with the Center for Social Development in January 2025.