Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs: Insights from KFF Polling
Health care costs remain a significant burden for many American families, impacting decisions about insurance coverage and whether to seek needed medical care. Recent polling data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), updated as of April 30, 2026, provides a comprehensive overview of the public’s experiences and concerns surrounding health care affordability in the United States.
High Health Care Costs Create Financial Strain
Nearly half of U.S. adults report that it is difficult to afford health care expenses. Specifically, 44% say they find it somewhat or very hard to manage these costs. The challenge is even more pronounced among certain groups:
- Uninsured adults under 65: A staggering 82% say affording health care is difficult.
- Hispanic adults: 55% report difficulty paying for health care.
- Black adults: 49% face financial challenges with health care costs.
- Adults from lower-income households: Those with annual incomes under $40,000 are more likely to struggle financially.
In terms of actual experiences, about 28% of adults say that either they or a family member in their household had problems paying for health care in the past year. This percentage rises to 41% among Hispanic adults and 40% among young adults aged 18 to 29. Among uninsured adults under age 65, the figure nearly doubles to 59%, highlighting the disproportionate impact on those without coverage.
Cost-Related Barriers Lead to Skipped or Delayed Care
Cost considerations cause many Americans to postpone or outright skip necessary medical care. Approximately 36% of adults reveal they have delayed or avoided care due to cost concerns in the past 12 months. Women are slightly more likely than men to report this, with 38% versus 32%, respectively. Older adults (65 and above), most covered by Medicare, report fewer incidents of skipping needed care.
Alarmingly, three-quarters (75%) of uninsured adults say they have forgone needed health care because of cost. Even among insured individuals, 37% report cost as a barrier to accessing care.
The consequences of delaying care can be severe. Nearly 18% of adults say their health worsened as a result of skipping or postponing treatment. Among uninsured adults under 65, 42% report health decline, compared to 20% of those with coverage. Younger adults face more risks in this regard than seniors, with 23% of those under 65 experiencing worsened health versus 6% of adults 65 and older.
Prescription Drug Costs Prompt Cost-Saving Measures
Prescription drug prices also contribute significantly to health care challenges. About 43% of U.S. adults report they have taken at least one cost-saving action related to medication in the past year, including:
- Taking over-the-counter drugs instead of filling prescriptions (31%)
- Not filling a prescription altogether (27%)
- Cutting pills in half or skipping doses (19%)
These behaviors are especially common among lower-income individuals, uninsured adults, women, and Black and Hispanic populations, underscoring disparities in medication access.
Medical Debt Impacts Many Americans
Medical or dental debt burdens approximately 41% of adults. This debt extends beyond medical providers, involving credit cards, collections agencies, family and friends, and financial institutions. The burden is particularly heavy for Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, those with low incomes, and the uninsured.
Those already carrying medical debt are more likely to delay or avoid recommended health care services. In fact, 51% of adults with medical or dental debt say cost prevented them from receiving a test or treatment their doctor recommended within the past year.
Health Insurance Provides Limited Protection
Although health insurance can alleviate some financial risks, it does not insulate many Americans from high costs. Nearly 38% of insured adults under age 65 worry about affording their monthly premiums. Many with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) or Marketplace coverage rate their plans as fair or poor regarding premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for doctor visits.
Overall, about two-thirds of adults express concern about affording health care costs for themselves and their families, with 30% "very worried" and 34% "somewhat worried."
Conclusion
KFF’s polling highlights persistent and wide-ranging challenges Americans face in affording health care. These burdens affect individuals across income levels and insurance coverage statuses but weigh most heavily on the uninsured, lower-income populations, and people of color. The data underscore the critical need for ongoing health policy efforts to address the affordability crisis, improve access to care, and reduce financial barriers to both medical services and prescription medications.
For more detailed information and resources on health care costs and policy, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation’s website.