Americans are facing a healthcare cost crisis that is fueling deep anxiety and financial strain across the country. According to the latest data from the respected Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), nearly half of all adults (47%) are worried they won't be able to afford healthcare in 2026 - the highest level on record.

What this really means is that millions of people are being forced to make impossible choices between paying for essential medical care or putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads. The bigger picture here is that the U.S. healthcare system has become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary Americans, with costs skyrocketing while wages have remained stagnant.

Prescription Drugs Driving Affordability Woes

One of the key drivers of this crisis is the soaring cost of prescription drugs. The KFF survey found that concerns about drug prices have climbed steadily, rising from 30% in 2021 to a record 37% in 2025. As NBC News reports, this is the highest level of worry about drug affordability that has ever been recorded.

Beyond just prescription costs, the survey also revealed that around 1 in 3 adults have had to delay or skip medical care over the past year because they couldn't afford it. And the share of people who say healthcare costs cause "a lot of stress" in their daily lives has nearly doubled since 2022, rising from 8% to 15%.

Looming Expiration of ACA Subsidies

Looking ahead, one of the key factors that could exacerbate this crisis is the looming expiration of enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As KFF reports, 1 in 3 ACA marketplace enrollees say they would "very likely" shop for a cheaper plan if their premiums doubled, and 1 in 4 say they would "very likely" go without insurance altogether.

The bottom line is that the U.S. healthcare system is in crisis, and ordinary Americans are bearing the brunt of skyrocketing costs. Policymakers must act urgently to address this growing affordability challenge and ensure that everyone has access to the care they need without fear of financial ruin.

Partner Network Links

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