Believe It or Not, New York Ranks Among States with the Least Medical Debt

While it may feel like everyone you know is struggling with some sort of medical debt, the number might not be as high as you believe.

New research looked at the states with the lowest percentage of citizens burdened by medical debt, with New York securing the seventh spot. According to data, only 6.08% of New Yorkers currently grapple with medical expenses they cannot afford.

Hawaii clinched the top position on the list, with only 2.3% of residents tied down by medical debt. This achievement can be attributed to the state's robust healthcare policies, including the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act, which mandates employer-provided health insurance for employees working over 20 hours per week. The act has ensured widespread coverage and effectively minimized medical debt in Hawaii.

California follows closely in second place, with 3.89% of its populace facing medical debt. The state’s initiatives such as expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and implementing Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace, have significantly bolstered insurance coverage. California's measures to control healthcare expenses and provide financial aid to low-income individuals have been essential in reducing medical debt.

Massachusetts takes the third spot, with 5.11% of its residents grappling with medical bills. The state's nearly universal health insurance coverage, achieved through the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act of 2006, has been pivotal in curbing the number of uninsured residents and keeping medical debt levels low.

Rhode Island secures fourth place, with 5.16% of its citizens facing medical debt. The state's Medicaid expansion and proactive healthcare policies have ensured that a higher number of residents can access affordable healthcare, consequently lowering medical debt levels.

Oregon rounds up the top five states with the lowest medical debt, with 5.18% of its populace in debt related to medical expenses. The Oregon Health Plan and Medicaid expansion have expanded coverage to low-income individuals, reducing the financial burden of healthcare. Moreover, coordinated care organizations (CCOs) in Oregon aim to provide better health outcomes at controlled costs, contributing to the state's lower medical debt levels.

The research also highlighted states with the highest percentage of citizens burdened by medical debt. South Dakota topped the list with a staggering 17.66% of residents facing medical debt, underscoring the state's challenges with healthcare affordability and accessibility.

Get our free mobile app

In second place is Mississippi, where 15.23% of citizens are grappling with medical debt due to high poverty rates and limited access to affordable healthcare. The struggle with unaffordable medical bills extends to other states like North Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia, each facing unique challenges in healthcare affordability and access.