Millions of Americans Skip Meals and Stretch Medications to Afford Health Care Costs
By Megan Cerullo | CBS MoneyWatch
Date: March 12, 2026
In a striking revelation about the financial pressures faced by Americans, a new poll from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America shows that millions across the country are making significant sacrifices to manage health care expenses. Roughly one-third of Americans report cutting back on everyday living expenses—such as skipping meals and stretching prescription medications—to afford medical costs.
According to the research, approximately 82 million Americans, spanning low-, middle-, and high-income brackets, have reduced utility usage, driven less to save on gasoline, and taken other cost-saving measures to cover their health care needs. The study highlights that many are also borrowing money and scaling back spending on essentials like utilities to pay medical bills.
This financial strain is intensified by sharply rising gasoline and energy prices linked to the Iran war, which has added to an already acute affordability crisis. Further compounding the issue, health insurance costs have surged following the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits on December 31, 2025. For uninsured Americans, the situation is even more dire. More than 60% of those without health insurance report making at least one financial sacrifice, such as borrowing funds, to manage health care bills. These monetary pressures have led nearly 24 million adults—about one in ten—to delay retirement due to health-related expenses.
Beyond delaying retirement, many Americans are postponing other significant life decisions, including changing jobs, buying homes, and starting or expanding families, as they grapple with the growing costs of health care.
The findings underscore the persistent challenges faced by American households trying to balance basic living needs with the escalating costs of health services amid broader economic pressures.
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