BOISE -- You may think personal bankruptcies are the result of job loss or wild credit card spending.

But a new study published in The American Journal of Medicine says the biggest reason for going into bankruptcy is medical debt.

The study says getting sick is a factor in 62 percent of personal bankruptcies -- an increase from just eight percent in 1981.

And among those who filed for bankruptcy, 75 percent reported having some type of medical insurance.

Even though Renee Cawley of Boise had insurance, mounting medical bills forced her to file bankruptcy in 2004 after a serious fall off a horse.

But her health problems were just beginning. Last winter, she developed sepsis after being bitten by a dog and almost died.

"When you look at $75,000 in medical bills from the first one and now a quarter of a million dollars, for a person like me, it's just crazy," says Renee.

Recent data shows 6,000 Americans a day file for personal bankruptcy and more than half of those are people unable to pay their medical bills.

Meanwhile, Renee keeps an upbeat attitude as she focuses on regaining her health.