How do high health care costs typically affect treatment outcomes?

High health care costs can significantly impact treatment outcomes, primarily by contributing to delayed treatment and poorer health outcomes. When patients face high costs for medical services, they may be less likely to seek timely care, avoid necessary treatments, or even forego medications. This delay in treatment can exacerbate medical conditions, leading to complications that could have been prevented with earlier intervention.

For example, a patient with a chronic illness may postpone visits to their healthcare provider due to the fear of high out-of-pocket expenses, ultimately facing a deterioration of their health condition. This scenario illustrates how economic barriers can lead to worse health outcomes and increased costs in the long run, as untreated conditions often result in more severe complications, emergency care needs, and higher overall expenditures.

While other options imply benefits or negligible consequences of high health care costs, they do not account for the reality that financial considerations can profoundly impact patients' decisions about seeking care and adhering to treatment plans, showcasing the critical link between cost and the quality of health care delivery.