Poll: Heathcare and money troubles linked

WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Tuesday said many U.S. residents have suffered financial consequences due to healthcare costs.

In a survey of 2,003 adults conducted April 3-13, 37 percent of respondents indicated they had suffered financial troubles over the past five years due to medical bills.

Twenty percent of respondents indicated they had trouble paying bills. Twenty percent indicated a collection agency had contacted them.

Others indicated using much of their savings (17 percent) and trouble paying for heat, food or housing (12 percent).

Ten percent indicated they had borrowed money and 3 percent indicated they had declared bankruptcy.

"Many people view health and the economy as separate issues but the cost of healthcare is a significant pocketbook issue for many families," Kaiser President and Chief Executive Officer Drew Altman said.

The poll carried a margin of error of 3 percentage points.