Medical and dental care are some of the most expensive expenditures that consumers incur, and they are also some of the most common expenses that families postpone. The goal of this study is to examine family and financial factors that influence families’ likelihood of delaying healthcare. Findings suggest that middle-income families may be particularly prone to postponing medical care or dental care as a cost saving strategy. Additionally, not carrying adequate and affordable health insurance and experiencing economic shocks like job loss and wage cuts put families at risk of delaying healthcare.
