New Poll Shows Only Half of U.S. Adults Can Afford Healthcare in 2025
8 verified1 unconfirmed
New data from the West Health-Gallup Affordability Index reveals that only about half of U.S. adults could afford their healthcare and had access to quality care in 2025. The survey, conducted from October to December 2025, found that 49% of adults were considered “cost secure,” down from 56% in 2021 and a peak of 61% in 2022. Concerns about affording healthcare in the year ahead reached a record high since tracking began in 2021, with about half of respondents saying they were extremely concerned or concerned their household would be unable to pay for needed services in 2026. About three-quarters of adults described healthcare costs as a major or minor financial burden. The findings were published before recent changes to health policy, including Medicaid cuts and the decision not to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. The poll also found that about 2 in 10 adults were unable to pay for prescribed medicine in the prior three months, and about 3 in 10 did not seek treatment for a health problem due to cost.
What’s verified
The West Health-Gallup Affordability Index found that 49% of U.S. adults were “cost secure” in 2025, down from 56% in 2021 and a high of 61% in 2022.
About half of respondents were extremely concerned or concerned that their household would be unable to pay for needed healthcare services in 2026, up from 42% who said that in 2022.
About three-quarters of U.S. adults said healthcare costs were a major or minor financial burden for them and their family.
About 2 in 10 adults said there had been a time in the prior three months when they or a household member was unable to pay for prescribed medicine due to costs.
About 3 in 10 adults said they or someone in their household did not seek treatment for a health problem because of the expense.
Among Americans under 30, about one-third were categorized as “cost secure,” down from 46% in 2021.
In 2025, 57% of men were “cost secure” compared to 42% of women.
Older Americans (mostly on Medicare) saw “cost secure” rates fall from 73% in 2021 to 61% in 2025.
Not yet confirmed
No claims reported by only a single source were identified; both reports contain essentially identical information.
Key figures
Twannetta Weaver, 43-year-old adult learner in Sanford, Florida
Inger Perez, 59-year-old resident of Encino, Texas
Xavier Chapa, 55-year-old father in Arizona
Sources: abcnews.com, statnews.com
