Americans Face Significant Challenges with Health Care Costs, KFF Reports
April 30, 2026 – A recent brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) highlights the ongoing struggles many Americans face due to high health care costs. Updated with the latest polling data, the report underscores that health care affordability remains a primary concern for U.S. families, influencing decisions about insurance coverage, care-seeking behaviors, and overall financial well-being.
Difficulty Affording Health Care: A Widespread Issue
Almost half of U.S. adults describe affording health care as difficult, with KFF polling indicating that around 44% find health care costs to be very or somewhat challenging. The burden is not evenly distributed—uninsured adults under 65 report the highest difficulty at 82%, far outpacing the 42% of insured adults who share this concern.
Racial and economic disparities also emerge prominently. Hispanic adults (55%) and Black adults (49%) are more likely to struggle with costs compared to White adults (39%). Income is a significant factor; those earning less than $40,000 annually are more prone to report difficulty affording health care than higher-income counterparts.
Trouble Paying Medical Bills and Skipping Care
About 28% of adults or a family member in their household have experienced problems paying for health care within the past year, jumping to 41% among Hispanic adults and 40% among young adults aged 18-29. For uninsured individuals under 65, the figure rises dramatically to 59%.
The high costs also lead many to delay or skip necessary medical care. Approximately 36% of adults report having put off needed health care due to costs in the previous year. Women are slightly more affected (38%) than men (32%), and the impact is far more pronounced among the uninsured, with 75% skipping care because of costs. Even among those with insurance, 37% report skipping care, indicating that having coverage does not entirely shield individuals from financial barriers.
Skipping health care has tangible health impacts. Nearly 18% of adults say their health deteriorated as a result. Younger adults without insurance are at greater risk, with 42% attributing worsened health to missed care, compared to 20% of insured youths. Adults 65 and older, many covered by Medicare, report this consequence less frequently (6%).
The Burden of Health Care Debt
Medical and dental bills have left many Americans in debt. In 2022, approximately 41% of adults reported carrying debt related to health care expenses, sourced from credit cards, collection agencies, family, friends, or other lenders. The burden hits Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, low-income individuals, and uninsured adults disproportionately hard.
Moreover, those carrying health care debt are more likely to skip or delay recommended medical treatments, with half of these individuals reporting cost as a barrier to receiving doctor-recommended care.
Prescription Drug Costs Force Tough Choices
Prescription drug affordability poses additional challenges. Four in ten adults (43%) have altered their medication use due to cost concerns. Specifically:
- 31% opted for over-the-counter drugs instead of filling prescriptions.
- 27% have not filled prescriptions.
- 19% have cut pills in half or skipped doses.
Lower-income adults, the uninsured, Black and Hispanic populations, and women are more liable to take such cost-driven measures, potentially compromising treatment effectiveness.
Worries About Health Insurance Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Health insurance, while offering some protection, does not fully alleviate cost worries. Among insured adults under 65, 38% express concerns about affording monthly premiums. Many with employer-sponsored insurance or Marketplace coverage rate their plans as “fair” or “poor” when considering premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for doctor visits.
In total, about two-thirds of U.S. adults are at least somewhat worried about managing health care costs for themselves and their families, with 30% “very worried” and 34% “somewhat worried.”
Conclusion
The KFF data illustrates that health care costs remain a formidable challenge for millions of Americans. High expenses not only strain household finances but also lead to delayed or forgone care, negatively impacting health outcomes. While insurance coverage helps, significant gaps and inequities persist, especially among uninsured, low-income, and minority populations. Addressing the affordability of health care services and prescription drugs remains crucial to improving access and reducing financial hardships for U.S. families.
For more detailed information, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation website at www.kff.org.