In a survey released this morning by Scioto Analysis, a majority of economists agreed that using public funds to forgive medical debt will reduce health disparities. This comes just after the City of Columbus voted on a plan to forgive medical debt for middle income residents.
Paul Holmes from Ashland University who agreed that forgiving debt would reduce health disparities wrote “I suspect this would reduce the number of people avoiding medical care for financial reasons, though again I don't expect the effect to be large. But it does seem relatively well-targeted, so I'd be optimistic it might make health care access more equitable.”
Kathryn Wilson from Kent State who was uncertain about this proposition wrote “I think it will definitely reduce economic disparities. Those who have their debt purchased will have more disposable income, a higher credit score, and be in a better position to finance purchases such as a house or car in the future. The economic security may provide some health benefits, but I see the primary effect as reducing economic disparities rather than health disparities.”
A plurality of respondents agreed that this policy would additionally encourage people to access preventative care, though more were skeptical of this claim. Bob Gitter from Ohio Wesleyan wrote “I am not sure that preventative care is a big share of medical debt. Also, this program forgives debt for past expenditures. It is hard to know if an expenditure I make now would get forgiven later.”
The Ohio Economic Experts Panel is a panel of over 40 Ohio Economists from over 30 Ohio higher educational institutions conducted by Scioto Analysis. The goal of the Ohio Economic Experts Panel is to promote better policy outcomes by providing policymakers, policy influencers, and the public with the informed opinions of Ohio’s leading economists. Individual responses to all surveys can be found here.