A new poll indicates that merely half of U.S. adults could afford their health care and had access to quality care over the past year, marking a decline from previous periods. The findings, released by STAT News, suggest a growing barrier between Americans and essential medical services.
The drop in affordability comes amid broader economic pressures, including persistent inflation and rising insurance premiums. Access to high-quality care now appears increasingly out of reach for many, with the poll highlighting a widening gap between those who can afford comprehensive treatment and those who cannot.
Only about 50% of respondents reported being able to both afford their health care and obtain quality services, according to the survey. The specific number of adults who met both criteria has fallen compared to earlier polling data, though exact historical figures were not provided in the report.
The implications are stark: millions of Americans may delay or forgo necessary medical care due to cost concerns, potentially worsening health outcomes. Policymakers face renewed pressure to address systemic inefficiencies in the nation's health care system.
Experts caution that without targeted interventions—such as subsidies or price controls—the trend could accelerate, further straining public health and hospital finances.