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As the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (and perhaps other variants) surge and emergency benefits run out in the coming months, the financial threat to individuals and families from COVID-19 looms large. Current rates of new cases make it clear that the US will remain in the acute phases of the COVID-19 pandemic for the foreseeable future and the number of patients receiving bills for the costs of treatment for COVID-19–related hospitalizations will likely increase.
Additionally, individuals experiencing the long-term health effects of COVID-19, such as kidney dysfunction and “long COVID,” may have chronic medical needs that expose them to decades of financial risk. Further efforts will be needed to mitigate the effects of the gathering COVID-19 financial storm on patients, their families, and community hospitals struggling to care for them. ...
