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Nearly Half of Americans Fear They Can’t Afford Care in 2026, Poll Finds
The poll reveals large state disparities in health care access, with 20% of households unable to afford prescriptions recently, highlighting widespread affordability challenges.
- On Nov. 20, 2025, West Health and Gallup found 47% of U.S. adults worry they won't afford health care in 2026, the highest level since tracking began four years ago.
- The poll, based on nearly 20,000 respondents across all 50 states, shows researchers ranked every state on cost, quality and access, revealing wide gaps.
- Long wait times, the most common barrier, delayed or prevented care for 53% of Americans, and one in five households couldn’t afford a prescription, according to the poll.
- Americans graded the U.S. health care system a C, with D+ for cost and C+ for quality, and even top-ranked states show many still struggle while Alaska, Arkansas and Texas rank lowest.
- Across the country, researchers say top 10 states report 25% skipping care due to cost, contrasted with 40% in lowest-ranked states, highlighting wide disparities.
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18 Articles
18 Articles
Nearly Half of Americans Fear They Can’t Afford Care in 2026, Poll Finds
Key Takeaways 47% of U.S. adults worry they can’t afford care in 20261 in 5 households couldn’t pay for a prescription in the last three monthsState rankings show large gaps in cost, quality and access across the country THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Many Americans are bracing for higher medical costs in the
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Left
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
55% Left
L 55%
C 27%
R 18%
Factuality
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