1 in 3 Americans say sacrificed for health care costs

One in three Americans said they made some sacrifice last year—like skipping a meal or rationing medicine—to cover health care costs, according to a survey released Thursday.

High health care costs, especially compared to peer nations, represent a significant portion of many Americans’ strained budgets, prompting some to choose to drive less to save on gas, cut back on electricity and borrow money to make ends meet.

Gathered from responses by 20,000 participants last year, the West Health-Gallup Center survey estimates more than 82 million Americans resorted to at least one sacrifice to pay medical bills.

The most vulnerable and uninsured were most likely to cut corners, but 11% of well-off households also reported making trade-offs.

“When families across every income level are forced to choose between medical bills and paying their heating or electric bill, that’s not a personal budgeting problem—it’s a systems failure,” said Tim Lash, president of the West Health Policy Center, in a statement.

The finding comes amid continued concerns about the rising cost of living, expected to once again be a key issue when voters head to the polls in November for midterm elections.

Another survey of 5,660 Americans at the end of 2025 from West Health found many Americans are delaying medical treatments and surgical procedures because of exorbitant health care costs.

The poll found health care costs led 14% of respondents to put off buying a home, while 9% postponed retirement and 6% delayed plans to have a child or adopt.

Expiring subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare,” are expected to worsen the situation in 2026.

The public health program aimed at aiding low-income households was shielding millions from higher health insurance costs.

The United States does not have a universal public health insurance system comparable to France and other developed countries.

While the US spends more than other developed countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, it ranks lower on many indicators including life expectancy.

© 2026 AFP