How many Americans can afford high-quality healthcare?

Health care affordability continues to be a pressing issue for many Americans, as highlighted by the recent experiences of Twannetta Weaver and Inger Perez. Weaver, a 43-year-old adult learner from Sanford, Florida, found herself facing overwhelming medical bills after slipping a disk in her back in 2025. The high deductibles of her health insurance plan forced her to delay her graduation and juggle expenses to care for her family.

Similarly, Inger Perez, a 59-year-old from Encino, Texas, is anxiously awaiting the results of her recent blood work, knowing that a diagnosis could lead to costly treatments she may struggle to afford. Perez, like many others, is worried about the financial burden of health care and the impact it will have on her ability to access quality care.

According to the West Health-Gallup Affordability Index, only about half of U.S. adults could afford their health care and had access to quality care in 2025. Concerns about affording health care services in the upcoming year were at a record high, reflecting the growing anxiety around rising health care costs and affordability issues.

The survey revealed that about three-quarters of U.S. adults considered health care costs to be a significant financial burden, with only 3 in 10 respondents feeling that these costs were manageable. More than half of the participants expressed extreme concern about their household’s ability to pay for necessary health care services, a notable increase from previous years.

Furthermore, the data showed that health care affordability is declining across various demographic groups. Younger adults, older adults, and women were among those who experienced drops in affordability and access to care. The percentage of “cost secure” individuals decreased across these groups, indicating a growing struggle to afford necessary health care services.

Many survey respondents shared the sacrifices they have had to make to pay their health care bills, including forgoing prescribed medications and avoiding necessary treatments due to cost concerns. One Arizona man, Xavier Chapa, recounted his wife’s battle with an insurance company over coverage for a preventive colonoscopy, resulting in unexpected expenses that forced them to cut back on their son’s summer camp activities.

These stories highlight the challenges that many Americans face in navigating the complex and costly health care system. As the debate around health care affordability continues, it is clear that meaningful reforms are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to quality care without facing financial hardship.