Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States.
We owe at least $220 billion in total medical debt, a figure that surpasses the GDP of half the states in this country.
This debt burden leads to healthcare discrimination and delayed care, and its impact goes beyond health.
Nearly two in three adults report cutting back on food, clothing, and other basic household needs just to pay down their medical debt.
Why is this such a uniquely American problem?
Abdul El-Sayed, MD, DPhil, Director and Health Officer of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services in Detroit, MI, testified before the Senate HELP Committee.
