Black Americans face a disproportionate burden of medical debt, highlighting persistent racial health and wealth disparities. A recent study found 38% of Black Americans have medical debt they can’t afford to pay, compared to 23.5% of all Americans earning between $50,000 and $100,000.
“Medical debt is more than a financial burden; it is a profound health crisis that disproportionately impacts Black Californians,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, President & CEO of California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute.
Experts point to the racial wealth gap as a key factor. In 2019, the median African American household had a net worth of $24,100 compared to $188,200 for white households.
Bethany Harris, a Black professional in San Diego, accrued over $11,000 in medical debt despite having employer-provided health insurance. “The co-pay is ridiculous,” Harris said. “There is no way I can afford this stuff.”
Some relief efforts are underway. The Biden administration announced a rule removing medical debt from credit reports for nearly 15 million Americans. Los Angeles County approved a $5 million pilot program aiming to eliminate up to $500 million in medical debt for residents.
However, middle-class Black Americans often don’t qualify for financial assistance programs. “People with medical debt absolutely have rights,” said Rhonda Smith of the California Black Health Network, urging patients to request hospitals’ financial aid policies.
Advocates say more systemic solutions are needed to address the underlying disparities driving the medical debt crisis for Black Americans.
See “Medical Debt in California: As Permanent Solutions Take Root, Blacks Remain Hardest Hit” (July 12, 2024)
