Government
Medical expenses a factor in credit card debt
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 19, 2007
Average credit card debt for low- and middle-income households was higher for those without health insurance ($14,512) than for those with health insurance ($10,973), stated Borrowing to Stay Healthy, a joint report by Demos and the Access Project, two consumer advocacy organizations. Overall, 29% of low- and middle-income households with credit card debt reported medical expenses as a contributor to it.
Within that group, 69% had a major medical expense in the previous three years, the report said.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/03/19/gvbf0319.htm.












