Less than half of Americans can afford quality healthcare, Gallup finds

According to a recent Gallup poll, less than half of Americans were able to afford medical expenses and access quality care last year. This highlights a growing financial strain, even among higher-income households. The share of “cost secure” Americans, those who could afford access to quality care and pay for doctors’ visits and prescriptions, dropped to 49% in 2025, down from a peak of 61% in 2022. This marks the lowest level since Gallup began tracking this metric in 2021.

There is a rising concern among Americans about their ability to cover healthcare costs. Fifty-one percent of those polled expressed concerns about paying for medical services in the next year, while 42% were worried about affording prescription drugs. Interestingly, this difficulty spans across income levels. Even households earning between $120,000 and $179,999 a year, and those making over $180,000 reported struggles with affording healthcare expenses.

Affordability is also a challenge across generations. Every age group, except for those aged 50 to 65, showed a decline in the share of people who could afford healthcare from 2023 to 2025. Adults aged 18 to 29 are the most vulnerable, with only about a third considered cost-secure.

The data may not fully capture the current strain Americans are experiencing as the study was conducted before the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies in early 2026, leading to a spike in premiums and causing some Americans to forgo insurance. ACA enrollment has dipped by over 1 million from 2025, and it is estimated that nearly 5 million fewer people will enroll in ACA plans this year.

In January, the Trump administration announced “The Great Healthcare Plan,” aimed at lowering health insurance premiums and providing direct financial assistance to cover healthcare costs. A month later, the administration launched TrumpRx, a platform offering discounted prices on drugs.

The Gallup findings were based on web and mail surveys of 5,660 U.S. adults conducted between October and December. The concerning trend of affordability in healthcare is a pressing issue that affects a wide range of Americans, regardless of income level or age group. The need for accessible and affordable healthcare remains a critical issue that policymakers and healthcare providers must address to ensure the well-being of all Americans.