As the cost of health care continues to increase, some Americans are having a hard time getting the care they need.

But according to Wilbert Jones, CEO of Greater Meridian Health Clinic, the current Wall Street crisis is simply opening eyes to an economic problem that has been around for years.

Prescriptions or groceries.. A doctor's visit or the power bill. These are tough questions some Americans have faced for years according to Jones.

Jones said he first noticed economic problems back in 2004, and since then, he says it has gradually become worse. As prices for groceries and gas rose and paychecks stayed the same, many of his patients are having to put their essentials over their medical care.

Jones said he understands their dilemma, but he warns that the consequences of ignoring treatment are dangerous and can later become much more expensive.

The clinic stays pretty busy, but with the season change, Jones said it's entering its peak season and that just means more patients making tough financial decisions.

"We find that our elderly tend to not take the medicine as it is prescribed, so they can make it stretch," said Jones. "We find a lot who say they will get it filled, but don't, because they don't have the funds."

But the situation isn't just preventing patents from getting health care. Jones worries it will also make it difficult for his clinic and others to provide care.

"it is going to become a dire situation for hospitals because hospitals, clinics, they all depend on lending institutions to sustain," said Jones. "And it's going to become even more difficult for us to provide the care we need to provide to get the credit lines we need to get its a trickle down effect."

As for a solution, Jones said he doesn't have one, but he does point out that America has survived worse.