As health care costs continue to rise nationwide, affording medical care remains a significant and enduring challenge for millions of Americans. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health care spending reached $4.5 trillion in 2022 – roughly $13,5000 per person. Of that, out-of-pocket spending accounted for $471.4 billion.

  • Hyperreality
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    3 months ago

    I always find it interesting how being stressed or unhappy because of something like high medical debt is framed as a mental health issue, rather than as a normal reaction to living in a sick hyper-capitalist society.

    But hey, I suppose medicating the symptoms is more profitable than tackling the causes.

    • Flying Squid
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      83 months ago

      To be fair, things like high medical debt can make stress and unhappiness in a person who already has mental illness worse. Sometimes far worse to the point that there’s a breakdown.

  • Kumatomic
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    213 months ago

    With the guarantee of high cost you also have a lot of doctors who don’t care about the patient, only their insurance card. Not saying all, but lots. At least in my 14 years of chronic illness.

  • @800XL
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    173 months ago

    Everyone should just stop paying medical debt. I have and after 7 years of ignoring it, the debt went away. Fuck Ascension and corporate urgent cares

    • @SlopppyEngineer
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      73 months ago

      People stopped having children, what is long term even worse for them. Less children = population shrink = permanently shrinking economy = capitalism collapse.

  • Optional
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    73 months ago

    In another study published recently they discovered climate change was real. I know, right