Publication Date: November 13th, 2024
Publication Type(s): Policy Brief
Topic(s): Health Disparities and Health Equity, Healthcare Access, Healthcare Financing, Poverty, Social Determinants of Health
Author(s): Tuttle M, Jacobson I, Rydberg K, and Henning-Smith C
Medical debt, or individual debt that incurs due to health care and related costs, is pervasive across the US and is a well-documented burden on access to care and overall well-being. However, less is known about the impact of medical debt on hospitals and patients in the context of rural communities. This policy brief presents findings from key informant interviews with nine administrators representing rural hospitals in seven states (AR, CA, IL, TX, VT, WA, and WV). Using content analysis of interview data, we share findings around hospital and community-level implications of medical debt, and policies that may help or hinder this issue.