New York ranks last in nation for health care affordability, new study finds

How affordable is health care in New York? According to a new WalletHub study, not very.

New York ranked among the worst states in the nation for overall health care, finishing No. 39 out of 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Empire State ranked last for health care affordability, even though it scored much better for access to care and health outcomes.

As Americans continue to face rising medical costs, the average person now spends nearly $14,600 a year on personal health care, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. While higher spending can improve access to providers, it doesn't necessarily lead to better health outcomes.

"Health care has two crucial components, cost and quality. The best health care in the nation

isn't helpful if it bankrupts the people who try to get it, and cheap health care isn't worth paying for if it provides subpar or ineffective treatment," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. "Therefore, the best states for health care are those that make high-quality care affordable, on top of providing many options for doctors and making insurance easily accessible."

WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 44 metrics measuring health care cost, access and outcomes.

How did New York rank?

New York ranked No. 39 overall, earning a score of 50.98.

The state's performance varied significantly across the three categories:

• No. 50: Health care cost (least affordable)
• No. 22: Health care access
• No. 26: Health care outcomes

Despite ranking last for affordability, New York performed well in several measures of access, including ranking No. 3 nationally for physicians per capita and for the percentage of children with health insurance.

Best states for health care

1. New Hampshire
2. Minnesota
3. Iowa
4. Rhode Island
5. Hawaii
6. Massachusetts
7. Maine
8. Wisconsin
9. Colorado
10. Nebraska
11. Kansas
12. South Dakota
13. Pennsylvania
14. North Dakota
15. Connecticut

Worst states for health care

1. Wyoming
2. North Carolina
3. New York
4. District of Columbia
5. Oklahoma
6. Tennessee
7. Arkansas
8. New Mexico
9. Louisiana
10. Alabama
11. West Virginia
12. Texas
13. Georgia
14. Mississippi
15. Alaska

How WalletHub ranked the states

WalletHub evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 44 metrics across three categories:

• Health care cost
• Health care access
• Health care outcomes

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York ranks last in nation for health care affordability, new study finds