A Well Thought Out Scream:  By James Riordan

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 33% of Americans put off seeking medical treatment in 2014 due to high costs, the highest percentage since Gallup began asking the question in 2001. Besides the soaring costs, people just don’t trust doctors anymore. The vicious cycle has four steps. 1) Doctors and hospitals have to charge more because of high malpractice insurance costs and they now require more tests and procedures than ever before to cover their behinds in the event of a lawsuit. 2) Many patients feel ripped off by this fact and therefore file a malpractice suit at the drop of a hat. 3) More malpractice lawsuits lead to higher malpractice insurance costs and you are back to step one at the beginning of the cycle.

Thirty-three percent of Americans have delayed medical treatment for themselves or their families because of the costs they’d have to pay, according to the survey. While Obamacare promised it would help make health care more affordable for everyone, the number of people who feel they can’t afford a trip to the doctor has actually risen three points since 2013. It’s no surprise that the group with the highest rate of avoiding doctor bills is the middle-class. Those Americans with an annual household income of between $30,000 and $75,000 began delaying medical care over costs more in 2014, up to 38% from 33% percent the previous year. In wealthier households where the average incomes is above $75,000, only 28% delayed care this year which was still a substantial increase from just 17 percent last year.

The numbers are skewed a bit among the lowest-income section because many persons in this groups qualify for Medicaid and many others qualify for significant premium and cost-sharing subsidies through Obamacare. But, even in this group, those who earn under $30,000, 35% put off seeking medical care in 2014, but this number was down from 43% the previous year.

It is a dramatic shift which resulted after Obamacare’s redistribution of wealth lead to a decline in the quality of life for the middle class which is now actually delaying medical care due to high costs at a higher rate than the poorest section of the country. The problem is compounded by the fact that twice as many people among the middle class (22%) have delayed seeking treatment for serious illnesses than for smaller problems (11%), a trend which can lead to very serious consequences.

James Riordan .is the author of thirty-three books, including The Coming of the Walrus, The Bishop of Rwanda and Break on Through : The Life & Death of Jim Morrison which was made into the movie, The Doors by Oliver Stone.  Riordan also wrote Stone’s biography.  He has won nine national awards and was nominated for a Chicago Area Emmy for television writing.  He has also written several screenplays and is widely recognized for his ministry work with teenagers.