MCOL November 15, 2019
West Health and Gallup have just released results from a new survey on healthcare costs that found 13.4% of U.S. adults had “a friend or family member [who] passed away after not receiving treatment for their condition due to their inability to pay for it.” That percentage decreases with age: 16.9% under age 45, 12.4% between age 45 and 64 and 6.6% age 65%+ knew someone passing away.
That might seem counter-intuitive, given the greater frailty of seniors, but greater income levels compared to those under age 45, combined with stable coverage (Medicare) factor in. By income the percentages were 18.5% under $40k annually, 11.1% between $40k to $100k, and 9.1% over $100k.
Prescription drugs pricing was a particular focus...