Nearly Half of Missourians Have Medical Debt

A recent study published by the Missouri Foundation for Health found that nearly 40% of Missourians are in debt due to medical costs, reports the Missouri Independent. These debts include unpaid fees for services ranging from lab tests and doctors’ visits to emergency treatment and dental care and are often incurred following a one-time or short-term medical expense. The report also found that Black residents and low-income households are disproportionately impacted by medical debt, and that one in ten Missouri residents had more than $5,000 in outstanding medical debt at the time the survey was fielded.