Report Finds Drop in Percentage of Americans Foregoing Needed Medical Care Because of Costs

The rate of U.S. residents who skipped necessary health care because of cost dropped to 4.4% in 2014, down from nearly 6% the previous year, according to a CDC report released Tuesday. The report -- based on data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey -- did not include reasons for the decline. However, observers note the change coincides with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansions under the law and an improving national economy.

• "Fewer People Neglecting Health Care Over Cost: CDC" (Mangan, CNBC, 9/1).
• "Fewer Americans Skipping Medical Care for Cost Reasons" (Goldstein, "To Your Health," Washington Post, 9/1).