20 hours ago, Sohan Lalwani said:

Gee, using general terminology does not make it incorrect, sure I could have gotten more specific but my statement is not wrong.

The West Health-Gallup survey itself defines 37% of Americans as “cost insecure” and 8% as “cost desperate.” That’s not my language — that’s Gallup’s. And in healthcare, "struggling" often does mean going without. So while I take your point about precision, I also think it’s worth acknowledging that the lived experience of these people aligns a lot more with “can’t afford” than with “mild inconvenience.”

Oversimplification can be dangerous — but so can over-qualification when it dulls the urgency of the issue.

Across various sources generally specific to America:

In U.S., Inability to Pay for Care, Medicine Hits New High

news.gallup.com

"Similar race and income gaps are evident among these Cost Insecure Americans. Black (45%) and Hispanic (48%) adults are far more likely than White Americans (34%) to fall into this category, as are Americans who earn less than $48,000 annually, just over half of whom are considered Cost Insecure."

This shows demographic specifics of the 45% figure, highlighting racial and income disparities related to healthcare affordability.

45 percent of Americans unable to afford or access healthcare: survey

thehill.com

"Nearly half of U.S. adults — 45 percent — admit to skipping a doctor's appointment or not picking up medication they need because they either couldn't afford ..."

This passage directly states that 45% of adults face affordability issues, linking healthcare cost struggles with skipping care.

Growing Number Of Adults Can't Afford Healthcare

thenonprofittimes.com

"Black (45%) and Hispanic (48%) adults are far more likely than White Americans (34%) to fall into this category, as are Americans who earn ..."

Similar demographic breakdown confirming the 45% affordability struggle statistic.

Americans Borrowed $74B To Pay Medical Bills

thenonprofittimes.com

"Nearly half (45%) of American adults report struggling to cover their medical bills and are either Cost Insecure or Cost Desperate. Younger adults are more than three times as likely to be Cost Desperate than those 65 and older (10% vs. 3%), the data shows. The percentage of people age 50 to 64 years old considered Cost Desperate has risen to ..."

This identifies nearly half of adults as struggling financially with medical bills, confirming the 45% figure.

New Study Reveals More Struggling to Afford Healthcare

westhealth.org

"Forty-five percent of American adults report struggling to cover their medical bills and are either Cost Insecure or Cost Desperate. Younger ..."

Reiterates the 45% number, emphasizing medical bill struggles.

45% Of Americans Struggle To Afford Health Care Across The States

kffhealthnews.org

"45% Of Americans Struggle To Afford ... Experts have suggested that poor nutrition and unequal access to healthcare could be holding Americans ..."

Shows the 45% figure in a broad healthcare affordability context.

A New Study Reveals More Americans Struggling to Pay for Health ...

thewellnews.com

"The poll found 45% of American adults report struggling to cover their medical bills and are either Cost Insecure or Cost Desperate. Younger ..."

Confirms the statistic in a recent poll data context.

US Health Care Now Unaffordable for Nearly Half of Americans

newsweek.com

"Nearly half of all Americans struggle to afford access to quality health care and prescription medications."

This approximately aligns with the 45% statistic, highlighting widespread difficulty in healthcare affordability.

Gallup: 45% of adults cannot afford the care they need

healthexec.com

"The number of adults who can afford the healthcare they need is rising, according to findings from a new survey by West Health and Gallup.. While most Americans surveyed said they are “cost secure” when it comes to paying for healthcare—including premiums, copays, prescriptions and medical bills—45% of adults reported having a problem coming up with the money."

Supports the 45% figure by stating the portion of adults who are not cost secure.

Gallup: Portion of Americans who can’t afford health care is growing

cleveland.com

"Black (45%) and Hispanic (48%) adults, as well as Americans who earn less than $48,000 annually, were more likely than white Americans (34%) to fall into the Cost Insecure category."

Confirms demographic details related to the 45% cost insecurity.

Half of working -age adults said it was very or somewhat difficult to ...

commonwealthfund.org

"Data: Commonwealth Fund 2023 Health Care Affordability Survey. Percentage of adults ages 19–64 by income who delayed or skipped any needed health care because they couldn’t afford it, by insurance type and poverty level.

Presents data close to 45%, showing affordability issues across insurance types.

How does cost affect access to healthcare?

healthsystemtracker.org

"About half of adults (45%) report being worried about their ability to pay medical bills if they get sick or have an accident. About three in ..."

Shows the 45% figure in terms of prediction or worry of medical bill payment.

In U.S., Affording Healthcare More of a Struggle Since 2022

news.gallup.com

"The percentage of US adults readily able to access and afford quality healthcare when they need it has dropped six percentage points since 2022 to 55%."

Indicates a complementary figure where 45% struggle to afford care, as 55% are cost secure.

Healthcare Crisis Hits New High: Record 29 Million Americans Can't ...

studyfinds.org

"Black (45%) and Hispanic (48%) adults are much more likely than White Americans (34%) to occupy this precarious middle ground. Healthcare Access Problems Worsen More than one-third of Americans (35%) report being unable to access quality, affordable healthcare – up 4% from 2023 and 6% since 2021."

Demographic re-affirmation of the 45% struggle rate.

Inability to Pay for Healthcare Reaches Record High in U.S.

westhealth.org

"Rates were higher among Black and Hispanic Americans, with 46% and 52%, respectively, reporting that they would be unable to afford quality healthcare. Americans in higher-income households remained relatively stable in their ability to access affordable care, but the rate of unaffordability increased significantly among lower-income households."

Supports slightly higher than 45%, relevant to affordability challenges.

More Americans Can't Afford Health Care, Prescriptions

usnews.com

"More than one-third of Americans — an estimated 91 million people — say they couldn't afford to access quality health care if they needed it today, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index."

Though this states

"In all, about half (51%) of Americans are considered “cost secure,”... It’s the lowest level observed since the index started in 2021."

> Again indicating that about 45%-49% of Americans are cost insecure.

TRACKING HEALTHCARE AFFORDABILITY AND VALUE

westhealth.org

"The Healthcare Affordability Index evaluates three key factors in determining the ability of Americans to afford healthcare: 1) ... Based on prior West Health‑ Gallup research, nearly half (45%) believe that their household pays about the right amount for the care household members receive. Poor Perceived Value"

Provides perception data linked with the 45% figure.

Healthcare in the US Becoming Less Affordable - Health Systems

healthsystemsfacts.org

"Healthcare in the US Becoming Less Affordable - World Health Systems Facts provides factual data on health systems and policies. ... “The remaining 45% of American adults are classified as either Cost Insecure or Cost Desperate. Adults under the age of 65 are more than three times as likely to be Cost Desperate as those aged 65 and older (10% ..."

Directly labels 45% of adults as struggling regarding healthcare costs.

"The percentage of personal health care expenditures from out-of-pocket spending was lower in 2019 (12.7%)...But many Americans still face high out-of-pocket costs."

> Connects economic impact relating to healthcare spending burdens consistent with 45% figure in recent studies.

Number of Americans struggling to pay medical bills reaches new high

"Number of Americans struggling to pay medical bills reaches new high. ... The percentage of Americans considered cost secure has eroded from 56% in 2021 to just 51% in 2024.."

Shows the near half proportion of Americans struggling with affordability.

Why is this downvoted? What did I say in here that is factually incorrect?

On 4/25/2025 at 9:33 PM, Sohan Lalwani said:

So yes, barely able is one step above unable

20 hours ago, Sohan Lalwani said:

does not make it incorrect

Make up your mind.

22 minutes ago, Sohan Lalwani said:

Why is this downvoted?

Recalcitrance.

2 minutes ago, zapatos said:

Make up your mind.

Recalcitrance

Having an opposing view is recalcitrance?

3 hours ago, Sohan Lalwani said:

Having an opposing view is recalcitrance?

And now you are being deliberately obtuse.

1 hour ago, zapatos said:

And now you are being deliberately obtuse.

Its a question, can you not answer it?

I smell socks being used as puppets

Moderator Note

1. Asking about downvotes is OT. Deal with it.

2. It’s sad that anyone has to nitpick at this level. Bored, are we?

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If your post is here one of these comments is directed at you.