Americans Face Significant Challenges with Health Care Costs, KFF Reports
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a leading independent source for health policy research and news, has updated its findings on Americans’ ongoing struggles with health care affordability, based on the latest polling data as of April 30, 2026. The data highlights that high medical costs remain a major burden for many individuals and families across the United States, influencing decisions about insurance coverage, accessing care, and prescription drug use.
Financial Struggle Widespread Among U.S. Adults
Nearly half of all U.S. adults report difficulty affording health care expenses. Specifically, 44% of adults say it is very or somewhat challenging to pay for health care costs. This burden is especially pronounced among uninsured adults under age 65, with 82% reporting difficulty, significantly higher than the 42% of insured adults who feel the same. Hispanic (55%) and Black adults (49%) are more likely than White adults (39%) to report difficulties paying for health care.
When focusing on problems paying medical bills in the past year, 28% of adults say they or a family member had issues covering these costs. This figure rises substantially among Hispanic adults (41%) and young adults aged 18 to 29 (40%). Among uninsured adults under 65, a staggering 59% report problems paying for health care, nearly double the rate for insured adults (30%).
Cost Concerns Lead to Skipped or Delayed Care
Financial concerns also cause many to delay or forgo necessary medical care. About 36% of adults revealed they had skipped or postponed health care services within the past 12 months due to cost. Women are marginally more likely to skip needed care compared to men (38% vs. 32%). Older adults eligible for Medicare (65+) are less affected by cost-related care delays.
Among uninsured adults, the problem is acute, with 75% reporting they have avoided needed health care because of costs. Even insured adults are affected; 37% of those with coverage delayed or skipped care due to financial concerns.
These delays can result in adverse health outcomes: 18% of adults say their health worsened after skipping or postponing care. The impact is more severe for uninsured adults under 65, who are twice as likely as insured peers to report health deterioration (42% vs. 20%). Additionally, younger adults experience worsening health consequences at four times the rate of older adults with Medicare coverage (23% vs. 6%).
Medical Debt Burdens Many Families
The financial burden extends beyond immediate costs, with 41% of adults holding debt from medical or dental bills. This debt often comes from credit cards, collection agencies, family or friends, banks, and other lenders. Groups disproportionately burdened with medical debt include Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, low-income households, and the uninsured.
A 2022 KFF report further found that individuals with existing medical or dental debt are more likely to delay or skip recommended medical care. Half of adults carrying such debt noted cost as a barrier to following through with doctors’ recommended treatments or tests.
Prescription Drug Costs Lead to Medication Non-Adherence
Prescription drug expenses are also causing Americans to reduce medication adherence. KFF data shows:
- 31% of adults took an over-the-counter (OTC) drug instead of filling a prescribed medication due to cost.
- 27% did not fill a prescription at all.
- 19% cut pills in half or skipped medication doses to save money.
Altogether, 43% of adults have modified their prescription medication use in some way because of cost concerns. These challenges are particularly prevalent among lower-income, uninsured individuals, women, and Black and Hispanic adults.
Health Insurance Coverage Does Not Fully Shield Americans from Costs
Even those with health insurance face substantial financial worries. Nearly 40% of insured adults under 65 are concerned about their ability to afford monthly health insurance premiums. Many with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) or Marketplace coverage rate their insurance as “fair” or “poor” when it comes to monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for doctor visits and prescriptions.
Overall, two-thirds of adults expressed concern about affording their medical costs, with 30% “very worried” and 34% “somewhat worried” about covering health care expenses for themselves and their families.
Conclusion
KFF’s comprehensive polling highlights that the high cost of health care remains a top financial stressor for millions of Americans, influencing access to necessary services and medication. While lack of insurance and lower incomes exacerbate the problem, significant numbers of insured and higher-income individuals also face challenges. The findings underscore the critical need for continued policy attention to affordability to ensure Americans can access and adhere to essential health care without undue financial hardship.
For more detailed data and resources, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation’s website.
Authors: Grace Sparks, Lunna Lopes, Alex Montero, Marley Presiado, and Liz Hamel
Published: April 30, 2026