Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs: Insights from KFF Polling Data
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a trusted independent source for health policy research and polling, recently updated its brief on the challenges Americans face regarding health care costs. The newest data, published in January 2026, highlight persistent financial burdens related to medical care that affect millions across the United States. This article summarizes the key findings from KFF’s extensive polling and analysis, shedding light on the widespread difficulties in affording health care, prescription medications, and the consequences these costs have on individuals and families.
Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Struggle to Afford Health Care
KFF’s latest polling reveals that just under half of all U.S. adults (44%) find it very or somewhat difficult to afford health care expenses. The problem is even more acute among uninsured adults under the age of 65, with 82% reporting difficulty managing these costs. Hispanic adults (55%) and Black adults (49%) are disproportionately affected compared to White adults (39%). Income also plays a significant role: adults living in households earning less than $40,000 annually are more likely to report paying difficulties than their higher-income counterparts.
When focusing on experiences over the past 12 months, about 28% of adults or a family member in their household faced problems paying for health care. This figure climbs to 41% among Hispanic adults and 40% among young adults ages 18 to 29. Among the uninsured under age 65, nearly 60% struggled with health care payments, compared to 30% among those with insurance coverage.
Cost-Related Skipping and Delays in Care
The high cost of health care leads many Americans to delay or skip needed medical services. Approximately 36% of adults say they have postponed or avoided care in the past year due to financial concerns. Women are slightly more likely than men to report this behavior (38% vs. 32%). Adults aged 65 and older, most of whom receive Medicare, are far less likely to delay care because of cost, highlighting the protective effect of Medicare coverage.
Alarmingly, three-quarters (75%) of uninsured adults under 65 have skipped or postponed necessary care due to cost barriers. Even among insured individuals, 37% report foregoing medical care, indicating that insurance coverage alone does not eliminate the financial strain.
Skipping care can have tangible negative health effects. Nearly 18% of adults say their health worsened as a result of delaying or skipping treatment, with uninsured younger adults at particularly high risk — 42% experiencing worsening health compared to 20% of those insured.
The Heavy Burden of Health Care Debt
Medical debt remains a significant challenge for many Americans. In 2022, 41% of adults reported owing money related to medical or dental bills. Those carrying health care debt are more likely to avoid or delay treatment: about half (51%) of adults with medical debt say cost prevented them from following through with recommended medical tests or treatments in the past year. Debt is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, low-income households, and the uninsured.
Prescription Drug Costs Drive Cost-Cutting Measures
The expense of prescription medications prompts various cost-saving behaviors. Around 21% of adults have not filled a prescription due to cost, while 23% have chosen over-the-counter alternatives instead. Additionally, approximately 15% of adults report cutting pills in half or skipping doses to stretch medications further. Overall, about one-third of adults have taken at least one of these measures within the last year, with women and low-income individuals more commonly affected.
Insurance Coverage Does Not Fully Shield Against Costs
Despite health insurance, many insured Americans continue to face worries about affording medical costs. Nearly 38% of insured adults under 65 express concern over paying their monthly health insurance premiums. Significant portions of those with employer-sponsored insurance and Marketplace coverage rate their insurance as only “fair” or “poor” in terms of affordability for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses related to doctor visits and prescription drugs.
Health Care Costs Top Americans’ Financial Worries
Cost concerns for health care rank as the foremost financial worry among American adults, surpassing worries about food, utilities, and other household expenses. Two-thirds of adults report being “very worried” or “somewhat worried” about being able to afford health care for themselves and their families. These concerns are deeply ingrained and reflect ongoing challenges despite policy efforts designed to improve access and affordability.
Conclusion
KFF’s comprehensive polling underscores that health care affordability remains a pressing issue for a broad swath of the American population. Challenges are especially severe for uninsured individuals, Hispanic and Black communities, low-income families, and young adults. Even those with insurance coverage frequently worry about the costs of premiums and out-of-pocket care. The financial burden often necessitates skipping or delaying essential health services and prescription medications, which can worsen health outcomes and deepen medical debt cycles.
Efforts to address these systemic issues will require continued policy attention, targeted financial protections, and increased support for vulnerable populations to ease the widespread burden of health care costs in the United States.
About KFF
The Kaiser Family Foundation is an independent organization dedicated to providing nonpartisan health policy research and polling to inform public debate and advance understanding of critical health issues. Their regular health tracking polls offer valuable insights into Americans’ attitudes and experiences with health care and coverage.