Health
LGBTQ+ adults face greater health care cost and access barriers, KFF survey finds
A survey of about 26,000 U.S. adults shows higher rates of skipped medical care and bill struggles among LGBTQ+ individuals.
The short version
- A new KFF survey indicates LGBTQ+ adults encounter higher rates of health care access and affordability issues compared to non-LGBTQ+ peers.
- Nearly six in 10 LGBTQ+ respondents postponed or skipped necessary care, compared to 38 percent of non-LGBTQ+ adults.
- LGBTQ+ individuals are nearly twice as likely to forgo prescription drugs and report higher rates of medical debt struggles.
Key facts
- A KFF survey of approximately 26,000 adults found LGBTQ+ respondents face higher financial and access barriers in health care than non-LGBTQ+ adults.[The Washington Post]
- Nearly 60 percent of LGBTQ+ adults reported skipping or postponing necessary medical care, compared with 38 percent of non-LGBTQ+ adults.[The Washington Post]
- Three in 10 LGBTQ+ adults reported difficulty paying medical bills, versus 21 percent among non-LGBTQ+ respondents.[The Washington Post]
- Gay, bisexual, and transgender respondents are almost twice as likely as the broader population to forgo prescription medications.[The Washington Post]
Sources
- LGBTQ people struggle to get needed health care and pay for it, study findsThe Washington Post - National metered