High medical care costs leave millions impoverished

A new global report finds that the high cost of medical care leaves millions of people impoverished around the world. Many Americans aren’t prepared.

Whether struggling to cover rent, food or fuel costs, few are saving enough to weather unexpected bad times at least a hundred and 50 million people worldwide suffer severe financial hardship each year from the struggle to pay medical bills.

This astonishing fact is from a new report by the world health organization that includes information on nearly 90 percent of the global population.

The report also finds that 100 million people annually are pushed into poverty over medical care costs.

People must choose between medicine and other basic needs like food and shelter.

Researchers collected information from 89 different countries and found some nations are much harder hit than others.

People in the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom almost never have heavy financial burdens from healthcare, while around 10 percent of people in Brazil and Vietnam endure financial ruin over medical costs.

In the United States more than one in 200 families suffer financial catastrophe over healthcare bills.

The financial burden can be reduced, experts say, if governments collect money for medical care before people become ill.

Payments for individuals based on their ability to pay can, in the long run, decrease the costs for all.