Health Costs in America
How Protected Are Americans From a Medical Bill?
A single emergency room visit averages about $2,400. In some states, that bill would absorb far more of a typical month’s income than in others. This map shows where the financial shock of getting sick may hit hardest.
A Real Story Behind The Numbers
She begged strangers not to call an ambulance.
In June 2018 at a Boston subway station, a woman suffered a severe leg injury while trying to get off a train. Witnesses said she begged people not to call an ambulance because she feared the cost, even while she was in clear pain.
The moment went viral because it captured a hard truth: in a medical emergency, many Americans weigh treatment against debt. This map picks up from that question and shows where one ER bill could hit household budgets hardest.
Why this still matters
About 1 in 6 adults reported delaying or skipping some care due to cost in 2024.
Reported by The Boston Globe, summarized by TIME, and current access data from KFF (2026 update using 2024 NHIS).
If someone uses a ground ambulance, that can add roughly $1,150 on average (often plus mileage), on top of the ER visit.
Map shaded by
ER visit cost as a share of median monthly income
Static annual snapshot using 2024 ACS coverage, poverty, and income tables.
Burden is estimated as one ER visit ($2,400) divided by each state’s median household income converted to a monthly figure. Supporting figures come from 2024 ACS tables S2701, S1701, and B19013.