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Sorry doc, it's not in the budget

One-third of Americans have gone without health care treatments because of cost, a higher percentage than residents of 10 other industrialized countries.In Britain, for example, only 5 percent of people have ever missed a treatment due to cost. In Canada the figure is 15 percent.That's according to a new study from The Commonwealth Fund.The New York-based foundation, which focuses on health care i
The Commonwealth Fund / Today

One-third of Americans have gone without health care treatments because of cost, a higher percentage than residents of 10 other industrialized countries.

In Britain, for example, only 5 percent of people have ever missed a treatment due to cost. In Canada the figure is 15 percent.

That's according to a new study from The Commonwealth Fund.

The New York-based foundation, which focuses on health care issues, looked at health spending habits of people in advanced Western countries including Germany, France, Sweden and Australia. The study found that Americans were far more likely to take steps to save money such as not going to the doctor, skipping a follow-up or not filling a prescription.

Americans also were more likely to have financial problems related to health care on a number of fronts, including higher out-of-pocket costs, problems with insurers and and difficulties paying bills.

The results were based on phone surveys of thousands of residents of the various countries conducted earlier this year.

Thanks to DailyFinance, which pointed out the study and has more details here.