I'm 28 and I Owe $200,000 in Medical Debt. Here's My Story.

When Samantha Chen was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in 2024, she was a healthy 26-year-old with a promising career in marketing. Two years later, she's $200,000 in debt and fighting for her life. "I never thought I'd be here," Samantha told YEET Magazine. "I had insurance. I had savings. I did everything right. And still, I'm drowning."

Samantha's story is a cautionary tale of the American healthcare system. Despite having insurance through her employer, she was hit with thousands of dollars in co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-network charges. Her monthly medication costs $5,000. Her hospital stays have been life-saving but financially devastating.

"I chose between paying my rent and buying my medication," Samantha said. "I've maxed out my credit cards. I've borrowed money from my parents. I've started a GoFundMe. But it's not enough."

Samantha's situation is not unique. According to a 2025 report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, one in five American adults under 65 has medical debt. The average amount owed is $2,000, but for people with serious illnesses, it can be much higher.

Trump says Europe is dying, but in many European countries, healthcare is free or nearly free. In the US, medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy.

Samantha has started a blog, "Medical Debt Diaries," to share her story and advocate for healthcare reform. "I want people to know what this is like," she said. "I want them to understand that medical debt can happen to anyone. It happened to me."

She's also working with a nonprofit that helps people negotiate their medical bills. "There are resources out there," she said. "But you have to fight for them. The system is designed to make it hard."

Despite everything, Samantha remains hopeful. "I believe things can change," she said. "But it's going to take people like me telling our stories."

What You'll Learn in This Article

• A real story of medical debt in America
• Why healthcare is so expensive in the US
• How medical debt affects young adults
• What resources are available for people with medical debt
• How to advocate for healthcare reform

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