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(Washington, DC) — Uninsured Americans skipping out on their hospital bills are costing the U.S. as much as 49-billion dollars a year. A new study by the Department of Health and Human Servicesshows families without health insurance only pay off an average of 12-percent of their hospital tabs. Researchers say the problem is not confined to those living below the poverty line. Families with household incomes totalling more than 400-percent of the poverty level pay off only about 37-percent of their hospital bills. The Department says the study shows that even Americans earning large incomes are struggling to meet the high costs of health care. They add that it shows the importance of health insurance for all Americans.

Source: Metro Networks Inc.