BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Medical treatment is expensive, and even something as simple as a checkup can often have an exorbitant price. In many cases, company or government health insurance is enough to cover these bills — but at times, more intensive care or a lack of medical services can lead to one incurring disturbing levels of debt. Fortunately, as new research shows, this is a problem that not many residents of the Peace Garden State are currently struggling with. In a study concerning debt across the United States, Personal Injury Lawyers with Whitley Law Firm used data from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker to find the number of individuals in each state who have been affected by it. When these populations were expressed as percentages and weighed against one another, it was determined that North Dakotans do not enter medical debt as much as other US residents, a trait it shares with more populated states like New York and California. How many Burleigh County residents are grandparents caring for grandchildren? According to the research, only 5.65% of all North Dakotans have some form of medical debt, which amounts to 30,000 citizens — a number that is not only one of the lowest percentages in the nation, but also near the least number of individuals, only surpassed by Hawaii which reports only 20,000 citizens with the problem in question. On the opposite side of the spectrum, states like Indiana, West Virginia, and especially South Dakota report much higher levels of medical debt, primarily due to economic struggles and a lack of Medicaid expansion. “Access to affordable healthcare without the risk of debt is essential for overall well-being," states a spokesperson for Whitley Law Firm. “The high percentage of medical debt in states such as South Dakota and Mississippi highlights a critical need for healthcare reforms. Solutions for these states could include things like expanding Medicaid and increasing insurance coverage. Cost-control measures for medical services and better financial assistance programs for those in need could also help to reduce this strain. As the nation continues to struggle with healthcare affordability, states such as Hawaii and California set great examples of how other states can reduce medical debt and improve financial stability across the country." If you are struggling with medical debt, it's important to know that there are resources available to you within the state that may help to alleviate your financial burden. For more information on applying for aid in North Dakota, visit this page. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW