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Data analyzed by

State Health Compare

Percent who had trouble paying off medical bills in the past year

Measure Overview

The cost of health care in the United States is one of the highest in the world, and costs are continuing to rise. Rising health care costs have made it difficult for some Americans to afford health care services. This can impact health care utilization, with some skipping or forgoing care or making changes to medical drugs due to cost, which can affect overall health. Additionally, many find that they cannot afford the services that they do use. Tracking the prevalence of individuals who struggle to pay their medical bills is a key part in addressing the overarching issue of health care affordability in the U.S. 

Trouble Paying Medical Bills by State, Age, and More: Breakdowns and Data Source


State Health Compare provides state-level estimates of the percent of individuals who, in the past 12 months, struggled to pay off medical bills using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). 

Two breakdowns are available for this measure: Age and Coverage Type.

Generate customized graphics using this data by selecting one of the options below.

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