Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Sociology

Committee Chair

Jeni Loftus

Committee Member

Joseph Lariscy

Committee Member

Wesley James

Abstract

This paper focuses on how medical bills and financial hardship are related to healthcare access in adults in the United States, based on the results of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). In particular, it examines the hypothesis that those with problems paying medical bills have a higher tendency to delay or ration medical care or health insurance cover offsets this effect. Logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between financial hardship, delayed care, and psychological distress and demographic and socioeconomic variables including age, education, race, and poverty status. According to the results, it can be seen that persons with medical financial hardship are much more likely to delay or ration medical care because of cost. Besides, the absence of health insurance increases this impact, which indicates a continued disparity in access to healthcare despite the existing coverage mechanisms. This paper finds that financial burden remains one of the biggest obstacles to medical care and mental health in the U.S. and it is important to implement policy changes that would be both affordable and sufficient to cover.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Embargoed until 06-12-2026

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Available for download on Friday, June 12, 2026

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