The Weight of Medical Debt is Particularly Crushing in Louisiana

Medical debt is a growing crisis across the country, but is affecting Louisiana more than other states, with residents owing nearly $2 billion, reports the Louisiana Illuminator. Louisiana ranks in the top 10 states for the highest medical debt, with an average of $2,150 owed by its residents – an estimated $1.9 billion statewide. Medical debt is more prominent in households with those who are more vulnerable and or at risk: more households with children under 18 carried medical debt than those without (24.7% to 12.5%); among Black households, 27.9 percent face this issue; individuals living in poor health or with a disability are also more likely to carry significant medical debt (21% and 14% of adults with medical debt).