A recent Gallup poll reveals that fewer than half of Americans were able to afford medical expenses and quality healthcare in the previous year, underscoring significant financial stress that persists even among higher-income families. The percentage of what Gallup terms “cost secure” Americans—individuals capable of affording healthcare coupled with the ability to pay for doctors’ appointments and prescriptions—dropped to 49%. This figure represents a significant decline from a high of 61% in 2022, marking the lowest point since Gallup began tracking this data in 2021.
The decline in affordability is accompanied by an increasing sense of anxiety regarding healthcare costs. In the poll, 51% of respondents expressed concern about their ability to pay for medical services over the upcoming year, while 42% voiced worries about affording prescription medications.
Financial difficulties affect a wide range of income brackets. Approximately one-third of households earning between $120,000 and $179,999 and one-fifth of those with incomes of at least $180,000 reported either lacking quality coverage or grappling with expenses related to prescription drugs. This indicates that the issues surrounding healthcare affordability cut across various socioeconomic levels.
Generational disparities also emerge from the data. Except for individuals aged 50 to 65, every other age group surveyed showed a decline in the proportion of people able to afford healthcare from 2023 to 2025. The most affected demographic appears to be young adults aged 18 to 29, with only about one-third classified as cost-secure.
The Gallup findings may not fully capture the current strain on individuals, as the survey was conducted prior to the expiration of tax subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which are set to significantly increase premiums in early 2026. Reports indicate that enrollment in ACA plans fell by over 1 million as of January, with estimates from the Kaiser Family Foundation suggesting that nearly 5 million fewer people might sign up for these plans this year.
In January, the Trump administration announced “The Great Healthcare Plan,” asserting that it would reduce health insurance premiums and provide financial assistance directly to Americans to help cover healthcare costs. Following this initiative, the administration also introduced TrumpRx, a platform aimed at offering discounted drug prices to consumers.
The Gallup poll data was collected through web and mail surveys involving 5,660 U.S. adults conducted between October and December, revealing a troubling picture of healthcare affordability in America.
