Q: What is the percentage of total personal bankruptcies caused by health care bills?
A: A Harvard study published in 2005 found that about half of those who filed for bankruptcy said health care expenses, illness or related job-loss led them to do so. Twenty-seven percent cited uncovered medical bills specifically, and 2 percent said they had mortgaged their home to pay what they owed.
Issues: health insurance
Health Care Premium Costs
In last week’s final debate, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama cited greatly different estimates for the average cost of health insurance, and a number of readers have asked us to sort it out.
Obama: By the way, the average policy costs about $12,000. …
McCain: The average cost of a health care insurance plan in America today is $5,800.
Both candidates were talking about the relative value of the $5,000 tax credit McCain wants to give to families and couples (individuals would get up to $2,500) to purchase health care policies.
McCain’s $5,000 Promise
McCain says in a new TV ad: “Let’s give every American family a $5,000 refundable tax credit” to buy health insurance. Sounds good. But McCain failed to mention how existing employer-sponsored health benefits would be affected.
Exaggerating Help for Troops
Clinton falsely claims guardsmen and reservists didn’t have health insurance before she went to work.
Edwards’ Empty Threat
John Edwards’ new ad says that when he’s in the Oval Office, he’ll tell Congress to act within six months to make sure all Americans have health insurance or “I’m going to use my power as president to take your health care away from you.” First he’s going to have to throw out the Constitution, though.
Kerry’s PAC Touts Health Insurance For All Kids
The ad is accurate. But it leaves out details on how Kerry would pay for his proposal, and what it might cost.
Taxing Social Security & Gasoline: Bush Attack Lacks Context
Kerry supported an increased tax on Social Security benefits, but he also supported a repeal and Bush didn’t.