The Cost of Survival
Marvel, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Colorado, represents a growing class of Americans – too \"rich\" for Medicaid, too poor for private insurance. His decade-long battle with Lyme disease has become a financial tightrope walk: \"Every lab test feels like Russian roulette with my savings,\" he told us.
By the Numbers
New data reveals the scale of this crisis:
- 40% of US adults report healthcare affordability struggles (Gallup 2022)
- $12,914 – average annual healthcare cost per American (World Economic Forum 2023)
- 31% of Medicaid-eligible applicants report confusing eligibility requirements
Systemic Shadows
Advocates highlight a double bind: complex bureaucracy deters applicants while private insurers hike premiums. \"We're seeing healthy young professionals choosing between insulin and internet bills,\" said healthcare analyst Priya Vasquez. The COVID-era Medicaid expansion provided temporary relief, but 2023 renewals have left many scrambling.
Reference(s):
'I can neither afford commercial insurance nor get Medicaid benefits'
cgtn.com
