Alaskans are more likely to lack health insurance, according to Census Bureau data. They are also racking up more medical debt.
Alaska showed a 32% increase in medical debt from 2020-23, with the percentage of residents in medical debt growing from 4.90% to 6.48%. Where one lives can determine what kind of medical coverage you can get and also influence the cost of health care. Iowa had the greatest number of residents falling into medical debt, while Delaware was able to reverse medical debt the most of all states.
An analysis of government data estimates that people in the United States owe at least $220 billion in medical debt. Approximately 14 million people (6% of adults) in the U.S. owe more than $1,000 in medical debt and about 3 million people (1% of adults) owe medical debt of more than $10,000, according to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation health Tracker.
Despite about 90% of the U.S. population having health insurance, costs such as high deductibles or co-payments, high prescription costs and other expenses can add up. For people with limited means, even a relatively small unexpected medical expense can be unaffordable.
