Health costs take toll on chronically ill people.

MEDICAL care costs; CHRONICALLY ill; HEALTH surveys -- United States; FAMILIES; POOR people

The article cites a study related to rising health costs that are taking a financial toll on many people with chronic conditions. The study found that 42 percent of low-income, privately insured, working-age Americans with chronic conditions spent more than 5 percent of their incomes on out-of-pocket medical costs in 2003, up from 28 percent in 2001. The study also showed that more than one in three people in this group lived in families that reported problems paying medical bills in 2003. Among privately insured chronically ill people with medical bill problems, 10 percent went without care, 30 percent delayed care and 43 percent did not fill a prescription due to cost concerns.