A stark new study has laid bare the crushing weight of healthcare expenses in the United States, revealing that nearly half of all adults are finding it difficult to pay their medical bills.
Widespread Financial Strain and Medication Sacrifice
The research, conducted by the healthcare policy organisation KFF, found that 44 percent of American adults described it as "very" or "somewhat" hard to afford their healthcare costs. This persistent financial burden is influencing critical decisions about insurance and whether to seek care, with unexpected bills ranking as a top worry for families.
The consequences are severe and direct. To cope with the soaring costs, many are making dangerous compromises with their health. The data shows that one in three adults (33%) has resorted to not filling a prescription, seeking an over-the-counter alternative, or cutting pills in half or skipping doses. Specifically, 21% have skipped a prescription entirely due to cost, while another 23% have turned to cheaper, non-prescription options.
Disparate Impact on Minorities and the Uninsured
While the affordability crisis is widespread, its burden falls disproportionately on certain groups. KFF's findings, collected in late 2025, highlight significant disparities.
Hispanic and Black adults report much higher rates of difficulty, at 55% and 49% respectively, compared to 39% of white adults. Younger adults and those without any form of health insurance are also hit exceptionally hard. Uninsured adults under 65 are far more likely to struggle than their insured counterparts.
Income plays a decisive role, with households earning under $40,000 annually facing the greatest hardship. However, simply having insurance is no guarantee of affordability. Nearly 40% of those with coverage still worry about costs, and many feel their plans offer poor value for the premiums paid.
Medical Debt and Deferred Care Become the Norm
The ripple effects of these unaffordable costs are pushing millions into debt and forcing them to postpone necessary treatment. The study found that in over 40% of cases, people have gone into debt to cover medical or dental bills.
This combination of debt and the risky cost-cutting measures on medication paints a grim picture of a healthcare system pricing out its users. The KFF report underscores that for a vast number of Americans, the high cost of care is not an abstract policy debate but a daily financial emergency with direct consequences for their health and wellbeing.
