Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-11-2024
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Public Policy Leadership
First Advisor
Melissa Bass
Second Advisor
Weixing Chen
Third Advisor
Henry Thompson
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
A major issue has emerged from the U.S. healthcare system: medical debt. Medical debt is a serious problem in the U.S. that often cripples those who received healthcare services, but are unable to pay the bill. The most common scenario is when an unexpected major medical issue occurs, e.g. a heart attack, an automobile accident, cancer or anything requiring an emergency room visit. These hospital visits often result in very large, very unexpected expenses. These expenses are ultimately owed to the healthcare provider by the patient (or the patient's insurance policy) and increasingly, cause lifelong financial stress to those who cannot pay due to a lack of insurance or to those patients who are under-insured.
The primary objective of this study is to better understand medical debt in America, with a concentration on the Southern U.S states. This research intends to shed light on the intricacies of healthcare affordability and access. The study examines the detriments of the current medical debt issue and ways to solve this complex problem. Five individuals were interviewed who have a background with medical health policy and individuals who have actually incurred medical debt. From these interviews, four themes were identified from the responses: 1) lack of insurance as a contributing factor, 2) the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system, 3) the financial and emotional impact of medical debt, 4) and the need for multifaceted solutions. Policy proposals were developed based on these findings, including simplification of the healthcare system in the , and expanding medical debt relief programs at both the state and federal levels. By advocating for the simplification of the healthcare system and the expansion of medical debt relief programs at both the state and federal levels, this study aims to provide solutions that could potentially alleviate the financial burdens that individuals and families face across the country, ultimately leading to a more equitable and accessible healthcare system.
Recommended Citation
Barrett, Grace, "Your Money Or Your Life: A Study Of Medical Debt in The Southeastern United States" (2024). Honors Theses. 3121.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3121
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