A sweeping review of recent national polling data paints a stark picture of an American healthcare affordability crisis. The data, compiled by the health policy research organization KFF, shows that for a vast number of adults, medical and dental costs are a top financial worry, leading to widespread debt, skipped treatments, and significant anxiety about future care needs.

The crisis spares few demographics, affecting the insured and uninsured, low-income and higher-income families alike, though its burden falls most heavily on communities of color, young adults, and those without insurance.

The Heavy Burden of Medical Debt

Medical debt is not a niche problem but a mainstream financial strain in the United States. According to the KFF Health Care Debt Survey, 41% of adults—representing more than 100 million people—currently have some form of debt from medical or dental bills.

This debt takes many forms, from bills that are past due (24%) to loans from family or credit card balances run up to pay for care. The survey, part of the "Diagnosis: Debt" investigative project with NPR, found that these debts often stem from unexpected, one-time medical events, with 72% of those in debt citing a short-term expense like a hospital stay or accident.

The consequences are severe and long-lasting. More than a third of adults with healthcare debt report that it has negatively impacted their credit score. This can trigger a cascading effect, making it harder to secure loans for cars or homes, and in some cases, even leading to job loss or housing instability.

Group Share with Healthcare Debt Notes
All U.S. Adults 41% Over 100 million people
Adults without a College Degree 47% Compared to 31% of college graduates
Adults in Households earning <$40,000 57%
Women 48% Compared to 34% of men
Black Adults 56%
Hispanic Adults 50%

Skipping Care and Compromising Health

Faced with high costs, Americans are making dangerous compromises with their health. About one-third of all adults (36%) report they have skipped or postponed getting needed healthcare in the past year because they could not afford it.

The problem is most acute for the uninsured, 75% of whom say they have gone without needed care due to cost. However, having insurance is no guarantee of access; 37% of insured adults also report skipping care for financial reasons.

This delayed care has direct health consequences. Nearly two in ten adults (18%) say their health became worse because they skipped or postponed treatment. Among uninsured adults under 65, that figure soars to 42%.

The High Price of Prescriptions

Prescription drug costs are a major driver of this crisis. To manage expenses, Americans are resorting to potentially risky strategies:

  • 23% have taken an over-the-counter drug instead of filling a prescription.
  • 21% have not filled a prescription at all.
  • 15% have cut pills in half or skipped doses.

In total, one-third of the public (33%) has taken at least one of these cost-saving measures in the past year. The burden is again unequal, with nearly half of Hispanic adults (46%) and 41% of those with lower incomes taking such steps, compared to 29% of White adults.

Insurance: A Layer of Protection, Not a Solution

While health insurance provides critical financial protection, the data shows it is often insufficient to make care truly affordable. Nearly four in ten insured adults under 65 (38%) worry about affording their monthly premium.

When rating their insurance, large segments of the insured population give it poor marks on cost:

  • 41% rate their out-of-pocket costs to see a doctor as "fair" or "poor".
  • 39% give a negative rating to their monthly premium cost.

Dissatisfaction is highest among those with private insurance through an employer or the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, where about half rate their premiums and doctor visit costs negatively. In contrast, Medicaid enrollees, who typically face very low or no premiums and copays, are far less likely to give negative affordability ratings.

A Nation Anxious About Future Costs

Looking ahead, Americans are deeply worried about being able to handle future medical bills. When asked about their financial concerns, affording healthcare services (62%) and unexpected medical bills (61%) top the list—ranking higher than worries about rent, food, or utilities.

This anxiety is grounded in a stark financial vulnerability. About half of U.S. adults say they would not be able to pay an unexpected $500 medical bill without going into debt or being unable to pay it at all.

For older adults and those approaching retirement, the potential cost of long-term care looms large. More than seven in ten adults aged 50-64 feel anxious about affording a nursing home (73%) or paid help at home (72%) if needed. This is compounded by widespread confusion, as many incorrectly believe Medicare would cover such long-term supports. In reality, these services are extremely expensive—averaging over $60,000 per year for a home health aide—and are primarily paid for out-of-pocket or by Medicaid, which has strict eligibility requirements.

Conclusion

The collective data underscores that high healthcare costs are a central economic stressor for American families, influencing daily decisions about health, creating long-term debt, and fueling insecurity about the future. It reveals a system where, for many, the fear of medical bills is as pervasive a health concern as illness itself.

Source: KFF Health Policy Research

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