A study released by Center for Studying Health Systems Change revealed that a vast number of U.S residents are delaying or just skipping their medical care. The major reason for their delay, according to the study, was concerns regarding the high costs.

The study found that due to high costs of health care, more and more people are putting off their health care in favor of spending their hard earned money in other ways, for food, shelter or other needs.

Patients reported that they no longer have insurance, or the insurance coverage that they have enjoyed for a number of years has been reduced.

The study, which would be published in a few days, was carried out by the Researchers in form of a survey on nearly 18,000 U.S residents in 2007, the results of which was compared to the data obtained from a survey done back in 2003.

What they found was that in 2007, 20% of Americans stated that they had to delay or skip receiving medical care over the course of the past 12 months.

That was a 6% increase from the number in 2003, in which it was 14%. Of those who decided to delay or skip medical care in 2007, 69% stated that cost was the main reason.

To add more, 17% of Americans with health insurance delayed or skipped medical care, compared to only 11% in 2003. Among the uninsured, 38% delayed or skipped medical care due to cost.