A Third of Americans Have Cut Spending or Borrowed Money for Health Care

Why It Matters

Rising medical expenses are forcing households into financial distress, which can erode consumer spending and worsen health outcomes, pressuring policymakers to address cost transparency and insurance gaps.

Key Takeaways

• 82 million Americans cut spending for health care
• 15% borrowed money for medical expenses
• 11% skipped meals due to health costs
• Uninsured face higher sacrifices than insured
• 29% postponed vacations; 26% delayed surgeries

Pulse Analysis

The West Health‑Gallup Center’s latest survey underscores a growing crisis: health‑care costs have eclipsed basic necessities as the foremost financial anxiety for U.S. households. With 82 million Americans reporting sacrifices ranging from reduced meals to fewer car trips, the data signals that the inflationary surge in prescription prices, hospital fees, and outpatient services is no longer a niche concern but a mainstream economic driver. Compared with a 2024 poll, the share of adults fearing they cannot afford care has climbed, reflecting both lingering supply‑chain pressures and the lag in insurance coverage reforms.

Financial strain translates into tangible health risks. Fifteen percent of respondents admitted to borrowing money for medical bills, a figure that mirrors the rising tide of medical debt collections reported by credit bureaus. Skipping meals and delaying essential procedures, such as surgeries or chronic‑disease management, can exacerbate health disparities, increase emergency‑room utilization, and ultimately raise overall health‑care spending. Moreover, the ripple effect reaches employers, as reduced consumer confidence curtails discretionary spending and hampers productivity when workers juggle health‑related financial stress.

Policymakers and industry leaders face mounting pressure to curb these trends. Expanding affordable coverage, enhancing price transparency, and incentivizing value‑based care models could alleviate the burden on vulnerable households. Employers might consider supplemental health benefits or health‑savings accounts to buffer out‑of‑pocket costs. As the survey highlights, without decisive action, the cycle of debt, delayed care, and reduced economic participation threatens both public health and broader economic stability.