Poll: Only about half of Americans say they can afford quality healthcare

Key Points:

• A 2025 West Health-Gallup Affordability Index survey found only 49% of U.S. adults were "cost secure," able to afford and access quality healthcare, marking a decline from previous years and highlighting growing financial strain due to healthcare costs.
• About three-quarters of Americans reported healthcare expenses as a financial burden, with nearly half expressing concern about affording care in 2026, reflecting rising anxiety amid inflation and policy changes.
• Affordability worsened across demographics, with significant drops in "cost secure" status among younger adults, women, and older Americans, indicating widespread challenges in accessing affordable healthcare.
• Many individuals reported delaying or forgoing medical treatments and prescriptions due to cost, leading to sacrifices in other areas of life, such as education and family activities, exemplified by personal stories of financial hardship.
• The survey, conducted before recent Medicaid cuts and the end of ACA subsidy extensions, underscores the increasing pressure on Americans' healthcare affordability as the nation approaches midterm elections.