Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs: Latest Findings from KFF
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a leading independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, recently updated its comprehensive briefing on the financial burden of health care costs faced by Americans. This update, released on January 29, 2026, incorporates the latest polling data to shed light on how health care costs continue to impact families across the United States.
Widespread Difficulty Affording Health Care
KFF’s polling consistently highlights that health care expenses remain a significant concern for many U.S. adults. Nearly half—44%—report difficulty affording their health care costs. This struggle is notably acute among uninsured adults under age 65, with 82% saying that it is difficult to manage these expenses compared to 42% among those who have insurance coverage.
Hispanic and Black adults report greater difficulty paying for health care than their White counterparts, with 55% of Hispanic adults and 49% of Black adults describing health care costs as burdensome. Income also plays a critical role; adults in households earning less than $40,000 annually are significantly more likely to face challenges affording health care compared to those with higher incomes.
Impact on Care Seeking and Health Outcomes
The cost barrier leads many Americans to delay or forego necessary medical care. About 36% of adults say they skipped or postponed needed health care in the past year because of costs. This issue is particularly prevalent among uninsured adults under 65, with 75% reporting skipping needed care due to cost concerns. Even those with insurance are not immune; approximately 37% of insured adults also report foregoing necessary care because of cost.
Women are slightly more likely than men to delay care, and older adults (65 and older), many of whom benefit from Medicare, report fewer instances of skipping care due to cost. The health consequences of delaying care can be serious—18% of adults say their health worsened as a result of missed or postponed care. Uninsured adults under 65 are twice as likely as insured adults to report worsening health linked to skipped care (42% vs. 20%).
Prescription Drug Costs Lead to Cost-Saving Measures
High prescription drug prices are prompting many to cut back on medications. About 21% of adults report not filling a prescription because of the cost, while 23% have opted for over-the-counter alternatives instead. Additionally, 15% have reduced their dosage by skipping pills or cutting them in half to save money. In total, one-third of adults have used some form of cost-saving strategy related to prescription drugs in the past year, with women and lower-income individuals more likely to do so.
Health Care Debt Remains a Burden
Medical and dental debt affects a substantial portion of the population. In 2022, 41% of adults reported carrying debt from medical or dental bills, including amounts owed to various lenders, collection agencies, or even family and friends. The financial burden disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, uninsured individuals, and those with lower incomes.
Those already struggling with medical debt are more likely to avoid or delay medical care; about half (51%) of adults with existing medical or dental debt say cost has prevented them from obtaining recommended medical tests or treatments.
Concerns Among Insured Americans
Health insurance coverage does not fully shield Americans from financial stress related to health care. Almost 40% of insured adults under 65 express concerns about affording monthly premiums. Many individuals with employer-sponsored insurance or marketplace plans rate their plans as only “fair” or “poor” in terms of premium affordability and out-of-pocket costs for services like doctor visits.
Overall Worry About Health Care Costs
Health care costs top the list of financial worries for U.S. adults, surpassing concerns about food, utilities, and other household expenses. Approximately two-thirds of adults say they are either “very worried” (32%) or “somewhat worried” (34%) about affording health care for themselves and their families.
Conclusion
The KFF’s latest polling reaffirms that health care costs remain a critical challenge for many Americans. Despite insurance coverage expansions, a significant share of the population still struggles to afford medical services, prescription drugs, and insurance premiums. These financial hardships often result in delaying care, medication cutbacks, and accumulating medical debt, all of which can adversely affect health outcomes and financial stability.
KFF continues to monitor these challenges through ongoing surveys and policy research, providing valuable insights to inform discussions on health care affordability and access in the United States.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health Tracking Polls and Reports, January 2026 update.