Americans are going hungry so their health care doesn’t bankrupt them. According to new polling from the West Health–Gallup Center on Healthcare in America, one-third of U.S. adults are cutting back on basics — even skipping meals — to afford health care costs. That’s 82 million people driving less, dimming the lights, and rationing prescriptions while lawmakers pat themselves on the back.
“We live in hell,” one Redditor put it bluntly. And they’re not wrong.
Millions are juggling a sadistic game of “pay your bills or eat today.” Some have postponed retirement. Others are delaying job changes, putting off buying a home, or even reconsidering having a child, all because health care in America is basically a luxury.
The Absurdity of It All
Americans are making impossible choices to survive. Reddit users laid it out bluntly:
“I’m on the get-too-sick-and-die plan.”
“I eat once a day now and have stopped buying two of my meds so my wife can get her cancer meds … I’ll eat rocks before I let that woman suffer.”
“Even with insurance being decent, being injured can still leave you with thousands in medical debt. The system will just tell you ‘f*** you’ if you aren’t profitable enough.”
So, if you’re trying to figure out how to make a single paycheck cover rent, groceries, and maybe a doctor’s visit, you’re unfortunately far from alone.
No Safety Net, No Mercy
For the uninsured, the sacrifices are even harsher. Over 60% report skipping meals, borrowing money, or rationing meds just to stay afloat. When someone outside the U.S. detailed how one of their American friends chose not to go skiing because of their health insurance, one Redditor responded:
“Someone without health insurance would also definitely not be able to afford to ski. Your life literally changes based on the fear of getting hurt.”
Even those with coverage aren’t safe. Hospital visits can cost hundreds or thousands, depending on your insurance, and hitting your deductible can feel like losing the lottery … except you lose every time.
“65% of all bankruptcies in the USA are related to health issues,” one user wrote. “80% of the people who filed had health insurance.”
‘This Has Always Been the Plan’
Even with insurance, people are drowning in bills:
“It’s like $250–$1,500 for a hospital visit, depending on what they do. Without insurance? $500–$3,500.”
“This has always been the plan,” a Redditor observed. “Keep us all fat, sick, stupid, and broke. Easier to control.”
So yeah. Welcome to hell. Hope you like listening to growling stomachs.
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