The debate around healthcare in the U.S. continues, especially as the healthcare landscape evolves. Although policies like the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) have aimed to provide affordable care to millions of uninsured Americans, there are still significant gaps in coverage, leaving many with high deductibles and limited access to necessary care.

A recent report by The Kaiser Family Foundation found that many low-income individuals are choosing health insurance plans with the lowest premiums, but these often come with deductibles as high as $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for families. As a result, many are skipping non-emergency or preventative medical care because they can’t afford the costs until their deductibles are met.

The Gap in Health Coverage

This gap leaves people in a tough spot. Health insurance doesn’t cover services until the deductible is paid, which means people are delaying or foregoing care—ultimately worsening health outcomes and increasing the overall cost of healthcare.

Other insurance industries have found ways to address similar gaps. Take car insurance, for example. After an accident, the policyholder can get a rental car or repairs covered while the insurance company processes the claim. The insurance company may later seek reimbursement from the responsible party, but the policyholder doesn’t have to wait for that reimbursement to get back on the road.

How Legal Funding Can Help

Legal funding works in a similar way, providing plaintiffs with funds while they pursue legal claims. This financial assistance helps individuals move forward with their lives even as the legal process, which can often be slow, continues. While most people are familiar with car insurance covering interim costs, fewer people understand the benefits of legal funding.

Legal funding can bridge the financial gap for those pursuing personal injury, medical malpractice, or other claims. It helps plaintiffs cover medical bills, living expenses, and other costs while they wait for their case to resolve.

The Ongoing Healthcare Struggle

Access to justice and healthcare continues to be a challenge for many Americans, particularly low-income individuals. Despite healthcare reforms, economic barriers prevent many from receiving timely care. When people delay medical treatment due to financial concerns, it often leads to higher long-term costs, both in terms of emergency medical care and lost productivity.

Legal funding offers one potential solution by providing financial relief to those in need, enabling them to pursue legal claims and get the healthcare they deserve. However, there’s still a long way to go in making healthcare accessible and equitable for all.

For more on healthcare costs and the evolving healthcare system, check out this Kaiser Family Foundation study or this analysis from Health Affairs.