Women at Risk: Why Many Women Are Forgoing Needed Health Care

May 11, 2009 | Volume 52

Author(s): Sheila D. Rustgi, Michelle M. Doty, Ph.D., and Sara R. Collins, Ph.D.
Contact: sdr@cmwf.org
Note(s): Listen to a podcast on this study.

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Health Care Disparities

Overview

Rising health care costs coupled with eroding health care benefits are having a substantial effect on Americans' ability to get needed health care, with women particularly affected. Women experience cost-related access problems and medical bill problems more often than men. In 2007, more than half (52%) of women reported problems accessing needed care because of cost and 45 percent of women accrued medical debt or reported problems with medical bills. Since women use more health care services than men, they are more exposed to the fragmentation and failings of the current health care system—underscoring the need for affordable and high-quality health insurance coverage that is available to all.

Citation

S. D. Rustgi, M. M. Doty, and S. R. Collins, Women at Risk: Why Many Women Are Forgoing Needed Health Care, The Commonwealth Fund, May 2009.

Featured Podcast

Why Women Aren't Getting the Health Care They Need

Women are disproportionately affected by health care costs, according to a new Commonwealth Fund study. The study authors say that medical debt--which affects women across all income levels--is forcing many women to skip care or make other sacrifices.

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