Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs: New KFF Polling Highlights Ongoing Struggles
Published January 29, 2026 — Updated with the latest data from KFF polling
For many years, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has tracked Americans’ experiences and attitudes regarding health care costs. Their recent polling confirms that high health care expenses continue to place a significant burden on families across the United States. These costs not only affect decisions related to insurance coverage and care seeking but also rank as the top financial concern for adults and their households. The updated data, released in early 2026, sheds light on who is most affected and how cost-related challenges impact access to medical care.
Nearly Half of Adults Find Health Care Costs Difficult to Afford
According to the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll (May 2025), just under half of U.S. adults (44%) say it is either very or somewhat difficult for them to afford their health care costs. Difficulty is more pronounced among uninsured adults under age 65, with 82% describing costs as burdensome compared to 42% of those who have health insurance.
Racial and ethnic disparities persist: 55% of Hispanic adults and 49% of Black adults report challenges affording care, compared to 39% of White adults. Income also plays a key role, as adults in households earning less than $40,000 annually are significantly more likely to struggle with costs than those with higher incomes.
One in Three Adults Have Skipped or Delayed Care Due to Cost
Cost considerations lead many Americans to postpone or forgo essential health care. The polling indicates that 36% of adults have skipped or delayed care they needed in the past 12 months because of the expense. Women are slightly more likely than men to report this (38% compared to 32%).
Uninsured adults face the steepest barriers: three out of four (75%) say they went without needed care due to cost. Even insured adults are not immune, with 37% reporting they avoided or delayed care because of financial concerns. These delays have health consequences; nearly 18% of adults say their health worsened as a result of skipping or postponing care. Among uninsured adults under 65, 42% indicated their health deteriorated due to cost-related lack of care, a figure twice as high as that of insured adults in the same age group.
Prescription Drug Costs Drive Cost-Saving Measures at the Pharmacy
Prescription drug prices also contribute to health care affordability challenges. Twenty-one percent of adults reported not filling a prescription because of the cost, while 23% said they opted for over-the-counter alternatives instead. Additionally, approximately 15% have taken other cost-saving steps such as cutting pills in half or skipping doses during the past year.
Overall, about one-third of adults have implemented at least one form of medication cost-saving in the past year. Women and individuals with lower incomes are more likely to report these behaviors, which can negatively impact health outcomes.
Medical Debt is Widespread, Especially Among Vulnerable Groups
Medical and dental debt affects a substantial portion of the population. In 2022, around 41% of adults reported owing money related to health care expenses, including bills charged to credit cards, collections agencies, family or friends, and other lenders. This financial burden falls disproportionately on Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, low-income individuals, and the uninsured.
Not surprisingly, those carrying health care debt are more likely to delay or skip recommended medical tests and treatments, with half (51%) stating that cost impeded their ability to receive care in the prior year.
Health Insurance Does Not Guarantee Protection From High Costs
Even among insured Americans, worries about health care costs are common. Nearly 40% of insured adults under 65 express concern about affording their monthly health insurance premiums. Many with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) or Marketplace plans rate their coverage as only “fair” or “poor” in terms of premiums and out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits or prescriptions.
Across all adults surveyed, about two-thirds express at least some worry about affording health care expenses for themselves and their families. Health care costs top the list of financial concerns, surpassing worries about food, utilities, and other household expenses.
Conclusion
The latest findings from KFF underscore the persistent and widespread challenges Americans face regarding health care affordability. While lack of insurance remains a significant factor, cost-related barriers extend well into the insured population, undermining access to necessary care and contributing to medical debt and deteriorating health. Persistent disparities by race, income, and age call for targeted policy and public health responses to reduce financial barriers and improve health equity.
For more detailed data and reports, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation’s website and explore their comprehensive tracking of health policy and public opinion.
About KFF: The Kaiser Family Foundation is an independent organization providing health policy research, polling, and news to inform the public and policymakers. Their work is widely regarded as a trusted source for health care data in the United States.