Americans Struggle to Pay Rising Medical Costs

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRoughly one in three working-age Americans with private health insurance say they are paying off medical bills.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo they pay for insurance, and then they pay for the thing the insurance was for.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWendell Achterberg is a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, he has coverage, and he joins us now. Wendell, you're insured and you still got a bill.

4. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHow does that work?

5. WA

   Wendell AchterbergFor the record, I don't fully know. I pay every month, and then I get a bill that says I owe more.

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   Wendell AchterbergFor the record, the bill is three pages long.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHealthcare Brew says hospital care was the most common source, sixty-four percent of those with medical debt. Was that you?

8. WA

   Wendell AchterbergYes. One night. For the record, line item fourteen is a box of tissues, and I didn't cry until I saw line item fifteen.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorExperts cited by the American Dental Association News say one night in a hospital can cost over three thousand dollars.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo did you eat the tissues too?

11. WA

    Wendell AchterbergNo. But I did cut back on heat. The survey says thirty percent of people cut food, heat or rent, and I'm in that thirty.

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    Wendell AchterbergThe cows are warmer than I am.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThirty percent cut back on food, heat or rent. That's the treatment plan after the treatment.

14. WA

    Wendell AchterbergFor the record, Sara Collins of the Commonwealth Fund says when insured people owe thousands, coverage is falling short of its most basic purpose. She's right.

15. WA

    Wendell AchterbergI'd put that on page four of the bill, but there's no room.

16. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWendell, thank you. And I have insurance too. I just don't open the envelopes anymore.