Across the country, medical debt forces legions of Americans to make painful sacrifices. Many cut back on food, take on extra work, or drain retirement savings. For millions like Atencio, the healt…
in their communities, citing the need to address what are sometimes called social determinants of health.
For others, such debt can compound financial struggles brought on by an accident or unexpected illness that forces them to stop working, jeopardizing their health coverage or ability to pay for housing.widespread medical debt among residents in homeless encampments. And those with such debt tended to experience homelessness two years longer than encampment residents without it.
Atencio, who is transgender, has close-cropped dark hair and a large tattoo on his right forearm memorializing two friends who died in a car accident. Sitting on an aging couch in an apartment with bars on the windows, he’s philosophical about his long journey from that medical crisis through years of debt and housing insecurity. “We’ve pulled ourselves out of this,” he said. “But it took a toll.”
“You end up in this cycle,” he said. “You get into debt. Then you take out loans to try to pay off some of the debt. But then there’s all this interest.” With poor credit, Atencio relied at times on payday lenders, whose high interest rates can dramatically increase what borrowers owe. Many employers also check credit scores, which made it difficult for Atencio to land anything but low-wage jobs.
Lindsey Vance, 40, who moved to Denver five years ago seeking more affordable housing than the Washington, D.C., area where she was from, still can’t buy a house because of medical debts. She and her husband have a six-figure income, but medical bills for even routine care that she’s struggled to pay since her 20s have depressed her credit score, making it difficult to get a loan. “We’re stuck in a holding pattern,” she said.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
A cool and soggy start to the week across the Denver metro areaIt will be a cool and soggy start to the week, with highs in the mid- to upper 60s this afternoon. We'll see more sunshine and 70s on Tuesday.
Leer más »
More sunshine and 70s across the Denver metro area TuesdayIt will be a beautiful day with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid- to upper 70s. A few storms are possible on Wednesday.
Leer más »
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo, Norway job with Institute for Experimental Medical ResearchPermanent, full-time position as Researcher to establish stem cell technology at Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo, Norway.
Leer más »
- Dallas, Texas (US) job with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern Medical Center)Cancer Biology, postdoctoral position
Leer más »
September 11 ceremonies ongoing across US as Americans reflect on 22nd anniversary of terror attackPresident Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be among those commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Leer más »
New school start times, bus driver shortages contribute to metro Denver districts’ transportation woesThe changes to Denver Public Schools’ bus routes come as districts across the U.S., including those in metro Denver, are struggling to drive children to school amid staffing shortages that ha…
Leer más »