With rising costs, many middle-aged Americans wait for care

With the expiration of tax credits that helped people buy health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, many Americans are waiting until they qualify for Medicare to get the care they need.

John Galvin, who lives in Rhode Island, needs a colonoscopy but told USA Today that it was going to cost him nearly $3,000 because he now is without insurance. He’s decided to wait until he’s 65 and Medicare helps pay for the test.

USA Today reports that People on Affordable Care Act plans who are nearing retirement age experienced some of the largest price increases after Congress declined to renew the tax credits this past December. Many are dropping their plans because they are no longer affordable.

There will be a lot of pent-up demand as a result, said Jessica Schubel, a health policy consultant who worked in the Obama and Biden administrations. “Medicare is going to have to spend a whole heck of a lot of money covering and dealing with their treatment.”

What about you? Are you or someone you know uninsured and waiting until Medicare to get needed treatment? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.