Question

A study estimates that medical costs alone push down 2.2% of the population below the poverty line each year. How?

Answer 1

Public health facilities are highly inadequate in our country. These facilities are also lacking in quality. So even poor and middle-class people do not prefer to use these facilities. So, in case of a medical emergency, they are forced to avail expensive services of private hospitals and health centers. These expenses prove to be a heavy burden on these families and they are forced to sell whatever valuables they have, to fund the treatment. This pushes the families below the poverty line.