Celebrity Stories That Prove U.S. Healthcare Costs Are Worse Than We Think

Venus Williams came out of retirement and took to the tennis courts again recently, but her comments on the U.S. healthcare system stuck with viewers more than the outcome of her match. Mentioning she was on COBRA coverage, a program intended for people who lose employer-based insurance due to retiring, she spoke out about how expensive health care is.

While initially intended as a joke, Williams is now sparking a larger conversation about the fragility of healthcare access in the U.S. This moment also isn’t unique in the celebrity world, where costs aren't usually an issue. Others have revealed their personal medical costs, making it all too clear how no one is truly immune to the nation’s systemic problems.

247 Tempo brings you other instances of celebrities speaking out about the dire state of health care in the U.S., including individuals who nearly went bankrupt due to medical bills. Sources include The Washington Post, Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), CNBC, Health Affairs, NPR, and interviews across TIME, Forbes, and Variety.

Venus Williams recently joked that she had to return to her beloved sport, saying her COBRA coverage just wasn't cutting it compared to how expensive it is. Despite her wealth, she is a prime example of confusing and expensive the U.S. healthcare system can be. COBRA is often unaffordable for regular Americans, with premiums topping $600 per month, despite it being a coverage option for retirees and others who have recently left their job. Williams began the comment from a joking place, but ended it in further interviews with a plea for the U.S. to take a closer look at its health care system.

Selena Gomez has been open about her lupus diagnosis and various mental health challenges, including time in a residential treatment program. Though she has access to top-tier care, she’s used her celebrity platform to mourn how inaccessible these services are for the average person, including her fans. Gomez advocates for expanded access to mental healthcare and transparency in medical billing, as even she was shocked at the costs of what many other countries consider to be standard care.

Nick Cannon has spoken publicly about his late son’s hospitalization and the financial toll of prolonged NICU care, even in the face of such a heartbreaking reality. Despite his celebrity earnings, the bills for his son's neonatal intensive care soared into the hundreds of thousands. For average families, such costs often lead to bankruptcy, which is why Cannon used the experience to start a foundation identifying pediatric healthcare disparities and families in need across the nation.

Lady Gaga has suffered from chronic pain due to fibromyalgia for years, leading to multiple canceled tours and visible physical strain while performing. She’s pointed out how many Americans with chronic pain struggle to get diagnosed or approved for disability support, as the bureaucratic hurdles for SSI or SSDI are daunting. Her openness sheds light on the lack of long-term support for invisible disabilities, and her outward activism keeps this conversation active in celebrity circles.

Comedian Sarah Silverman went viral after posting about needing thousands of dollars in dental work that wasn't actually covered by her insurance. Most dental policies in the U.S. have strict caps and high deductibles, often excluding root canals and oral surgeries, which are two fairly common health problems. Silverman criticized the absurdity of dental being a separate entity and type of insurance from general healthcare, shocked by the lack of coverage and extremely high costs.

Alyssa Milano has been one of the most visible celebrity advocates for recognizing Long COVID as a serious, chronic condition. She’s documented her symptoms consistently online and criticized how slow multiple insurance companies were to approve care. Many Long COVID patients have been denied disability benefits or told their symptoms are psychological, but Milano has pushed for policy change around chronic illness recognition and Long COVID in general.

Did you realize that over 60% of bankruptcies in the U.S. cite medical debt as a key factor? That's why even celebrities have faced this unfortunate fate. Actor Gary Coleman reportedly filed for bankruptcy due to his mounting medical bills before his death. Many artists, athletes, and musicians lack employer-based coverage, relying exclusively on their potentially inconsistent income, something the average American knows all too well.

Celebrities like Nick Jonas and Brec Bassinger, two celebs living with type 1 diabetes, have spoken out about the absurd cost of insulin in the U.S. A single vial can cost up to $300 without insurance, with most patients requiring this amount multiple times a month. While these celebrities are able to afford it, they bring up this epidemic to show how many Americans ration their insulin doses or turn to unsafe imports for answers.

Actress Tia Mowry has spoken about her difficult pregnancy journey and how surprised she was about health providers' understanding and coverage of such a basic life event. Many plans don’t fully cover prenatal care, delivery, or postpartum services. Black women in particular face higher risks during pregnancy and much lower access to care, which is just one reason why Mowry called for more comprehensive support systems for mothers across the U.S.

Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon, and Rosario Dawson are only a handful of the many stars and celebs who support Medicare for All, or other universal healthcare proposals. They’ve spoken at rallies and funded public campaigns, with their involvement helping to bring attention to how fractured our current system is.

Experts and celebrities all agree: the U.S. needs to separate health insurance from employment, expand its publicly available options, and invest in preventative care for citizens of all ages and demographics. Celebrities exposing the cracks in the system are helping shift public opinion, but real change requires political effort, not just high-profile hopes and dreams.

Perhaps celebrity influence will one day change healthcare in the United States, and most of us hope that day comes sooner rather than later.