Healthcare Costs Remain Top Financial Worry for Americans, KFF Data Shows
The escalating cost of healthcare continues to be a primary source of financial strain for U.S. families, impacting access to care and driving significant debt, according to the latest data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Updated December 11, 2025, the findings reveal that nearly half of adults report difficulty affording healthcare costs, a burden disproportionately felt by Hispanic adults, young people, and those without insurance.
A Growing Affordability Crisis
for years, KFF polling has consistently demonstrated the challenges Americans face when it comes to healthcare affordability. “The high cost of health care is a pervasive issue,impacting families across all income levels,” a senior health policy analyst stated. “It’s not just about having insurance; it’s about what that insurance actually covers and the remaining financial burden.”
Delaying and Forgoing Care
The financial strain translates directly into delayed or forgone care. Approximately 36% of adults reported postponing or skipping needed healthcare in the last 12 months due to cost. This trend is particularly pronounced among the uninsured, with a staggering 75% of those under 65 going without necessary medical attention.
Skipping care can have serious consequences.Nearly two in ten adults (18%) reported their health worsened as a direct result of delaying treatment. This figure nearly doubles to 42% among uninsured adults under 65, highlighting the critical link between access to affordable care and overall health outcomes.
Prescription Drug Costs Add to the Burden
The cost of prescription drugs is a significant contributor to the affordability crisis. Roughly one in five adults (21%) have been forced to forgo filling a prescription due to cost, while 23% have opted for over-the-counter alternatives. Furthermore, about 15% have resorted to cutting pills in half or skipping doses to stretch their medication supply. a third of adults have taken at least one cost-saving measure related to prescriptions in the past year,with women and those with lower incomes being particularly affected.
Mounting Healthcare Debt
Healthcare debt is a widespread problem, with 41% of U.S. adults reporting owing money for medical or dental bills as of 2022. This debt takes various forms,including balances owed to credit cards,collection agencies,family and friends,and banks. Disproportionately affected are Black and Hispanic adults, women, parents, those with low incomes, and the uninsured.
Insurance Isn’t Always Enough
Even with health insurance,many Americans struggle with affordability. Almost four in ten insured adults under 65 (38%) worry about affording their monthly premiums.Many rate their insurance as “fair” or “poor” regarding both premiums and out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits. Adults with private insurance, whether through their employer or the Marketplace, are more likely to express dissatisfaction with their coverage compared to those with medicare or Medicaid.
Long-Term Care concerns Loom Large
Beyond immediate healthcare costs,anxieties about future long-term care expenses are also prevalent. Nearly six in ten adults aged 65 and older (57%) are anxious about affording a nursing home or assisted living facility, and half are worried about covering the cost of in-home support services. Thes concerns are even more pronounced among those aged 50-64, with over seven in ten expressing anxiety about residential care (73%) and paid care services (72%).
Financial Vulnerability and Unexpected Bills
The financial vulnerability of many Americans is stark. Approximately half of U.S. adults would be unable to pay an unexpected medical bill of $500 out of pocket. this includes 19% who would be unable to pay at all, 5% who would need to borrow money, and 21% who would rely on credit cards. Women,lower-income households,Black and Hispanic adults are particularly susceptible to falling into debt due to unexpected medical expenses.
These findings underscore the urgent need for thorough solutions to address the affordability of healthcare in the united States. As one analyst noted, “The current system leaves too many Americans vulnerable to financial hardship when they need medical care, and that’s simply unacceptable.”
