Health Costs Push Half of U. S. Adults into Uncertainty

In the spring of 2025, a Florida teacher named Weaver faced an unexpected back injury. The pain forced her to take medication and attend therapy sessions, which added a heavy medical bill to an already tight budget. She had to postpone her graduation from a leadership program, worrying whether she could pay tuition, books, rent and care for her family. Her story reflects a larger problem: many Americans feel powerless when it comes to health expenses. A recent survey by the West Health‑Gallup Center reveals that only about 49 % of U. S. adults feel secure in paying for health care and medicine. In the early 2020s, this figure was higher—61 % in 2022—but has been dropping each year. Nearly three‑quarters of respondents say health costs strain their finances, and half are anxious that future care might be unaffordable. These worries grew even more intense in 2025, as inflation pushed prices up and policy changes left many without subsidies.

The study categorizes people into three groups based on access to quality care and ability to pay. About 49 % of adults fall into the “cost secure” group, meaning they can afford needed services. The remaining 51 % are either “cost insecure” or “moderately secure. ” Women, younger adults under 30, and older adults on Medicare all see lower rates of cost security compared to men. For instance, only about one‑third of people under 30 feel secure, down from nearly half in 2021. Men’s security fell from 67 % to 57 %, while women’s dropped from a higher baseline to just 42 %. Many respondents admit they have skipped medication or treatments because of cost. About 20 % missed prescriptions in the past three months, and nearly a third avoided care entirely due to expense. One family in Arizona had to cut back on their child’s summer camp after a costly colonoscopy bill, illustrating how health costs can ripple into everyday life. These findings come before recent changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act took effect, suggesting that cost insecurity may worsen. As the next midterm elections approach, health affordability remains a top concern for voters and citizens alike.

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