Millions With Chronic Health Problems Forgo Treatment
Millions of uninsured adults in America with chronic health problems aren't getting all of the medical treatment that's needed, a new survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds.
Nearly half of the 15 million non-elderly, uninsured adults said they had at least one chronic health problem, the foundation said in a statement. And millions said they were forced to forgo doctor visits or prescription drugs due to cost.
Despite having limited access to the health care system, 21 percent of the uninsured adults with at least one chronic condition said they had had to spend at least $2,000 out of pocket on medical care in the prior 12 months.
The report analyzed 2003 data from the National Health Interview Survey, compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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