Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto and Fred Backus <\/p>\n
Fifty-two percent of Americans say they find basic medical care affordable, but that's down from 61 percent last December. Today, for 46 percent of Americans, paying for medical care is a hardship, up 10 points. <\/p>\n
Similarly, just over half of Americans are at least somewhat satisfied with their health care costs, while 43 percent are dissatisfied. <\/p>\n
Americans are feeling the cost of their health care. Fifty-two percent say the amount of money they pay for out-of-pocket health care costs -- those not covered by insurance -- has gone up over the past few years, including a third who say those costs have gone up a lot. <\/p>\n
Most attribute the rise of out-of-pocket costs to more expensive medical treatment, rather than an increase in the amount of treatment they are receiving. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Even though a majority of Americans are able to keep up with their medical costs, some cannot. Thirty-seven percent say they or one of their immediate family members have had trouble keeping up with their medical bills in the last few years. Those with lower incomes are more likely to have had trouble paying their medical bills. <\/p>\n
In addition, 28 percent of Americans say they been contacted by a collection agency because of medical bills. And among those who have had trouble paying their medical bills, nearly two-thirds have been contacted by a collection agency. <\/p>\n
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Americans have until Monday to enroll or re-enroll in Obamacare for coverage starting January 1. But many insurance companies offering policies t... <\/p>\n
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