Americans Struggle as Health Care and Prescriptions Become Unaffordable

Key Takeaways

• A growing number of Americans can no longer afford medical care or medications.

• Approximately 35% of Americans would be unable to pay for medical care if they required it.

• The rates are even more elevated among African American and Hispanic individuals.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (News) — A recent study indicates that the struggle to afford healthcare has hit an all-time peak in the U.S.

According to the newest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index, over one-third of Americans—approximately 91 million individuals—would struggle to pay for adequate healthcare if they required it immediately.

"The increasing pattern of being unable to afford healthcare is a concerning development that is expected to persist and potentially speed up," he stated. Tim Lash President of the West Health Policy Center, which is affiliated with a consortium of nonprofits dedicated to healthcare and aging issues.

Urgent policy measures are required at both the state and federal levels; otherwise, an increasing number of Americans might find themselves unable to afford treatment or may face difficult choices between covering their healthcare expenses and meeting other essential needs," Lash added in a press statement. "Both the human suffering and financial burden associated with this issue are immense.

Researchers stated that the Healthcare Affordability Index has been monitoring healthcare accessibility in the United States since 2021.

The most recent data indicates that 35% of Americans would be unable to obtain adequate healthcare when needed.

The data indicates that the rates were significantly higher for both African American individuals (46%) and Hispanic American individuals (52%).

Healthcare access stayed consistent for richer Americans, whereas it dropped considerably for those with lower incomes.

Approximately sixty-four percent (64%) of individuals with incomes below $24,000 reported being unable to afford healthcare, indicating an eleven-percentage point rise since 2023, according to the findings.

Similarly, 57% of households earning between $24,000 and $48,000 annually reported difficulties affording healthcare, marking a rise of 12 percentage points since 2023.

Overall, approximately half (51%) of Americans are deemed "cost-secure," meaning they haven't recently struggled with paying for healthcare or medications, according to researchers. This figure represents the lowest point recorded since the index began in 2021.

Hispanic Americans have seen the steepest drops in such security, as only 34% report having no trouble paying for medical care – a decrease of 17 percentage points since 2021.

African Americans saw a decrease of 13 percentage points in their healthcare security, with only 41% currently indicating that they do not have difficulties paying for medical expenses.

In total, roughly 11%, which equates to approximately 29 million Americans, fall into the category of being "cost desperate," indicating their inability to pay for healthcare services or medications.

Affordability and accessibility of healthcare keep declining across the country, with this problem being particularly severe for Black, Hispanic, and low-income adults, Dan Witters , a senior researcher at Gallup, stated in a press release.

Conversely, white adults and individuals from higher-income families continue to be shielded from these deteriorating conditions," Witters noted. "Within these demographics, we've observed the largest disparity in healthcare accessibility up until now, as numerous Americans face growing challenges annually.

The survey took place both online and via mail from November 18 to December 27, 2024, involving 6,296 individuals aged 18 and over. Participants came from every state as well as the District of Columbia. For the entire sample, the margin of error stands at ±1.6 percentage points.

More information

KFF has more on U.S. citizens' challenge with medical expenses .

West Health Institute, News Release, April 2, 2025

How This Affects You

A growing number of Americans are finding it difficult to afford essential healthcare services and medications.