These plans, by design, place an undue financial burden on individuals and families, requiring them to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs before insurance coverage begins to provide meaningful support.
The average American is expected to pay thousands of dollars in medical expenses—often in excess of $7,000—before their HDHP provides any significant coverage. This system is unrealistic for most households. Data from recent surveys indicate that nearly 40% of Americans cannot afford an unexpected $400 expense, making the requirement to cover thousands of dollars for critical health care financially crippling.
In practice, HDHPs lead to significant medical debt, deter individuals from seeking necessary preventive care, and exacerbate financial inequality by disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income families. This inequity creates a cycle in which people avoid essential medical treatment for fear of cost, resulting in worse health outcomes and higher long-term societal costs.
Therefore, to ensure a more just and equitable health care system, high deductible health care plans should be prohibited, and a shift toward lower out-of-pocket expenses and more comprehensive coverage should be mandated. All citizens deserve health care that does not bankrupt them in the event of an illness or injury. This policy change is a necessary step toward guaranteeing the health, well-being, and economic stability of all Americans.