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A survey by the Commonwealth Fund released September 17 shows that nearly one-third of adults aged 19-64 with private health insurance have unpaid medical bills or debt. The study, based on interviews with over 6,300 adults and focus groups, found that many respondents were surprised by high costs even when insured, often due to routine care and high deductibles. Additionally, the survey revealed that 30% of those with medical debt cut back on essential living expenses like food or rent to pay for healthcare, while 37% used their savings to cover bills.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In September 2025, a survey by the Commonwealth Fund revealed that nearly one third of adults aged 19-64 with private insurance have unpaid medical bills or medical debt. The study, based on interviews with over 6,300 adults, found that almost half of those paying off medical debts owed $2,000 or more. High deductibles and routine care costs were major contributors to this issue, often leaving people financially vulnerable despite having health insurance coverage. This finding underscores the growing problem of insured Americans accumulating significant medical debt due to high out-of-pocket expenses, even when they have health insurance.
Written for “Medical Debt Despite Insurance” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
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The problem of insured Americans with medical debt could grow in the coming years as health insurance becomes less affordable.
left criticizes rising healthcare costs and lack of affordability
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Some employers may downgrade their plans and shift more costs to employees, employers told Marsh.
left points out employer cost-shifting as a cause of medical debt
-
The Commonwealth study found that 30% of survey respondents cut back on basic necessities like food, heat, or rent to afford health care, and that 37% of those with debt used part or all of their savings to pay their bills.
left highlights the socioeconomic impact of medical debt
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Once people experience medical debt, they often hesitate to seek out more medical care, says Collins. That can lead to higher expenses for everyone in the long run, as they end up needing emergency services instead of less expensive preventative care.
left argues that medical debt discourages preventive care and leads to higher costs
Leaning score -0.65 for article 15172 (high confidence, 4 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-17
Many people buy health insurance to protect themselves from catastrophes like car accidents or cancer leading to astronomical medical bills.
asserted
people → buy → bills
But even having health insurance is not guaranteed to keep people out of financial ruin.
asserted
having → have → ruin
Nearly one third of adults ages 19-64 with private insurance have unpaid medical bills or medical debt, according to a survey released September 17 by the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation that supports independent research on health care issues.
uncertain
that → have → issues
Nearly half of adults who were paying off medical debts owed $2,000 or more.
asserted
who → pay → 2,000
“Medical-debt issues often stem from routine care, including doctor’s office visits and treatment for chronic conditions,” says Sara R. Collins, a senior scholar at the Commonwealth Fund and one of the authors of the report.
asserted
Collins → stem → report
“People are just dealing with routine care and bills that build up over time.”
asserted
that → deal → time
The study, which consisted of interviews among a nationally representative sample of more than 6,300 adults in 2025, also included analysis of focus groups in which people expanded on their experiences with health care.
asserted
people → consist → care
In the focus groups, many people expressed surprise at how high their medical bills were despite their insurance coverage, Collins says.
asserted
Collins → express → coverage
The problem of insured Americans with medical debt could grow in the coming years as health insurance becomes less affordable.
uncertain
insurance → insure → years
Already, the cost of health benefits per employee is projected to rise 8.2% in 2027, the highest increase since 2003, according to an August survey by Marsh, and some employers may downgrade their plans and shift more costs to employees
uncertain
employers → project → employees
, employers told Marsh.
asserted
employers → tell → Marsh
What’s more, after Congress decided not to renew subsidies for people buying health insurance from Affordable Care Act Exchanges, many consumers switched to lower quality plans that will cost them more if they have catastrophic or chronic health issues, according to April data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
uncertain
they → ’ → Budget
The Commonwealth study found that 30% of survey respondents cut back on basic necessities like food, heat, or rent to afford health care, and that 37% of those with debt used part or all of their savings to pay their bills.
asserted
% → find → bills
Once people experience medical debt, they often hesitate to seek out more medical care, says Collins.
asserted
Collins → experience → care
That can lead to higher expenses for everyone in the long run, as they end up needing emergency services instead of less expensive preventative care.
asserted
they → lead → care
Medical debt weighs heavily on Americans, Collins says.
asserted
Collins → weigh → Americans
“There is a huge fear among people in our focus groups of having their credit scores ruined by medical debt.”
asserted
scores → be → debt
Fifteen states have passed various laws limiting the use of medical debt in lending decisions and on credit reports.
asserted
states → pass → reports
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had finalized a federal rule designed to keep medical debt off credit reports and out of credit decisions, but a federal court vacated the rule in July 2025 after the Trump Administration took office.
asserted
Administration → finalize → office
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