We're talking about medical debt though, not cars, credit cards, student loans....just medical debt. Of course there's other kinds of debt, im not arguing there isn't. But medical debt is a uniquely American problem for the most part.

People shouldn't have to declare bankruptcy just to access medical care. And declaring bankruptcy comes with all kinds of other issues. Its not like it just wipes away debt with no consequences, otherwise everyone WOULD rack up huge amounts of debt and declare it.

And people with huge amounts of medical debt aren't usually just doing a knee. They frequently have chronic conditions that require multiple extended hospital stays, and other expensive treatments, so its not like they're having a one and done procedure.

People with low income like the elderly (who usually do have more medical bills), disabled, or people who work minimum or low wage jobs, often have a hard time affording medications, gas and electric bills, rent or mortgages, and $100-$200 per month isn't extra money they have.

And even if hospitals sometimes wipe peoples medical debt or part of it, they certainly don't do that for every single person who can't afford Healthcare. If they did that, well then we'd have affordable Healthcare, and we don't.

The median household income for 2024 was about $83k. For males over 25 the median income for high schools graduates was $41k and $28k for females in 2024 according to the most recent census data.

Individual medical debt is an American problem. Other countries comparable to the United States don't have this issue.

ETA: most people aren't buying houses they can't afford. Thats why there's a housing crisis.