The rising cost of health care continues to strain Americans’ daily lives, with a recent Gallup poll revealing that a third of U.S. adults are making significant sacrifices to cover medical expenses. According to the Washington Post, this translates to roughly 82 million Americans who have skipped meals, limited travel, or postponed major life decisions to afford care.
“It is impacting people every day in their decisions,” said Tim Lash, president of the West Health Policy Center. “It is getting worse.”
While financial stress is most pronounced among low-income and uninsured individuals, the burden also affects those with employer-based insurance and even higher-income households. Gallup surveyed nearly 20,000 adults between June and August on daily spending adjustments and polled 5,660 adults from October to December regarding postponed life events due to health care costs.
Common trade-offs included cutting back on utilities, driving less to save on gas, and reducing discretionary spending. Just over half of households earning less than $24,000 reported making sacrifices, while roughly a quarter of households with incomes between $90,000 and $120,000 said they had done the same.
Some of the more impactful delays included postponing home purchases (14%), career changes (18%), having or adopting a child (6%), and retirement (9%), according to The New York Times. “Seeing that health care is now impacting those decisions and the ability to attain the American dream is striking,” said Ellyn Maese, research director of the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America.
The financial strain comes amid political inaction. The expiration of pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies last year caused millions of Americans’ monthly premiums to rise sharply, with many forced into cheaper, less comprehensive insurance plans—or no coverage at all. Critics argue that GOP policies largely push individuals into high out-of-pocket plans, often without access to established medical networks.
Rising living costs, exacerbated by inflation and ongoing global tensions like the war in Iran, could further force Americans to choose between essential expenses, such as food, and necessary medical care.
The survey highlights how health care costs are no longer just a financial concern—they are shaping the very decisions Americans make about their lives.
