Analysis of the 2007 Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey finds the proportion of working-age Americans who struggled to pay medical bills and accumulated medical debt climbed from 34 percent to 41 percent, or 72 million people, between 2005 and 2007. In addition, 7 million adults age 65 and older had these problems, bringing the total to 79 million adults with medical debt or bill problems.

 All income groups reported an increase, adults who had gaps in health coverage or those underinsured, were hit the hardest. Because of medical bills or accumulated medical debt, an estimated 28 million adults reported they used up all their savings, 21 million incurred large credit card debt, and another 21 million were unable to pay for basic necessities. Sixty-one percent of those with medical debt or bill problems were insured at the time care was provided.

The effects of the out of control cost continue into the younger consumer. The cut back of benefits and increasing cost of health insurance plagues all age groups into a health gamble.

The Disintegration of Health Care raises questions that all of us want answers for. This public opinion survey contains 10 questions and responses. Your opinion is collected and tallied for public review at the end of the survey.