Women Forgo Health Care Because of Cost

Women Forgo Health Care Because of Cost

Anna C. Spencer

Insured women are more likely than insured men to forgo health care because of cost, says a new report from the National Women’s Law Center. Thirty-eight percent of women are struggling with medical bills compared with 29 percent of men, according to the report. In addition, one-third of insured women and close to two-thirds of uninsured women don’t get the care they need because they can’t afford it. In contrast, roughly 20 percent of insured men and half of uninsured men avoid care because of cost.

Women are at a disadvantage because they have greater health-care needs and are more likely to have lower incomes, says the report. Other factors contributing to the gender gap in health-care consumption include the fact that women are slightly more likely than men to purchase coverage in the individual market, which is often more expensive and less comprehensive than employer coverage, and are also more likely than men to take prescription drugs.

“Women are more likely than men to go without needed health-care services because of costs, yet they still have higher out-of-pocket expenses,” said Judith Waxman, vice president for Health and Reproductive Rights at the National Women’s Law Center. “This disparity exists for both insured and uninsured women.”