Health Bills, Hard Choices

Our infographic below highlights how widespread and persistent medical debt remains — even in a country where more than 90% of people have health insurance — and how cost pressures push millions into borrowing, delaying care, or going without it entirely.

Key Takeaways:

• Americans borrowed an estimated $74 billion in 2024 to pay medical bills. More than 31 million people took on debt for healthcare, and 42% borrowed $1,000 or more.

• Medical debt affects every income level. Over 60% of households earning up to $120,000 are somewhat or very concerned that a major health event in their household could lead to medical debt, and even 4 in 10 households earning more than $180,000 share the same concern.

• Women are more likely to borrow than men their age. Women under 50 are 1.4x more likely, and women ages 50–64 are twice as likely to take on medical debt compared to men their age.

• Medical debt remains a major driver of financial strain. It is still one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy in the U.S., contributing to damaged credit, limited access to loans, and reduced financial stability.

• Millions avoid or delay care to escape the risk of debt, putting their health at further risk.

About the Data:

The infographic brings together data from the following sources:

• West Health–Gallup Survey (2024)

• U.S. Census Bureau — Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2024

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Research on medical debt and financial hardship

• KFF — Data on affordability, premiums, and deductibles

• West Health Mosaic, National Aging Readiness