comprehensive -WSS

comprehensive

author：fashion 2025-10-01 00:52:26 - browse：71

Five people put coins in a box containing coins and cash on stage — coverage from STAT — Adobe

In the United States, health care costs are so out of control that medical crowdfunding has become commonplace. The idea is simple: turn your social network into a financial safety net to cover the cost of expensive treatments or long illnesses. Millions of Americans have started crowdfunding campaigns for medical bills, and tens of millions have donated to them, mostly through the undisputed sector leader, GoFundMe.

Nora Kenworthy, a nursing and health studies professor at the University of Washington, Bothell, has spent years studying the world of crowdfunding for health care — along with the way it ends up amplifying the inequities that already dictate who goes into medical debt.

In her new book, “Crowded Out: The True Costs of Crowdfunding Healthcare,” which will be released on Tuesday, she looks at what she calls the “toxicities” that drive medical crowdfunding campaigns. STAT spoke with Kenworthy about those issues, as well as the difficult moral decisions potential donors face when deciding whether to contribute. The following interview is condensed and edited for clarity.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and networking platform access.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe Log In

Previous article： Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action
Next article： A letter from the executive editor: STAT UnitedHealth investigation

WSS

Altering the blood type of lungs raises potential for universal organs for transplants

Weight loss drugs should be covered by insurers, AMA says

Reanimated hearts work just as well for transplants, study finds

Carbon Health diabetes program, a test of data

Novo pauses ads for weight loss drug Wegovy amid demand

What is STAT's opinion section for?

knowledge

comprehensive

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and networking platform access.

entertainment

State Dept. review finds Biden bears some blame for Afghanistan failures

Carbon Health diabetes program, a test of data

In age of alternative facts, a scholarly course on calling out crap

Senate panel passes drug pricing bills, but drops one PBM reform

Walensky prepares to leave CDC — and Congress — behind

Today's health inequities arise from racist U.S. history, say experts

United colonoscopy coverage change 'may cost lives,' doctors say

Bispecific antibodies are next new thing in cancer immunotherapy

Food as medicine: CMS rules hamper 'prescribing' of fruits, veggies

NIH chief: government has fallen behind pharma on clinical trials

leisure time

NIH chief: government has fallen behind pharma on clinical trials

Tennessee law changes starting July 1 will restrict trans health care and fund more school safety

Canadian wildfire dangers should prompt more proactive mitigation from government: Experts

Biogen nominates mother of director’s child to replace him on board

Canadian wildfire dangers should prompt more proactive mitigation from government: Experts

Mom launches Girl Scout troop for LGBTQ youth in Texas

hotspot

focus

explore

explore