TL/DR –
Almost a quarter of Americans perceive the healthcare system as being in crisis, primarily attributing it to high costs, according to a Gallup poll. The study revealed that 29% of adults view the cost of care as the country’s biggest health problem, and many are delaying or cancelling care due to financial concerns. While there appears to be a divide in public satisfaction with healthcare costs, with 16% satisfied with the overall cost but 57% satisfied with their personal contributions, worry about potential future medical emergencies and cost surprises remains prevalent.
Key Insights on US Health Care System
- Nearly 25% of Americans consider the health care system to be in a crisis state.
- High costs, rather than issues of accessibility, are the primary health care concern for most.
- Many individuals are postponing or completely skipping necessary care due to concerns about cost.
A recent poll reveals that nearly a quarter of Americans believe the US health care system is in crisis, with high costs being the main issue. This data was released on December 15th by Gallup Inc., showing that 29% of adults view the cost of care as the country’s most pressing health problem.
Another 23% shared that they believe the health care system is either in crisis or facing serious problems, a sentiment that aligns with one of Gallup’s highest recorded levels of concern. The survey, conducted from November 3rd to 25th, included approximately 1,300 adults and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
About 81% of Democrats and 64% of Republicans agree that the health care system is facing serious issues. Growing concerns about cost outpace those about access, and many express that while they have insurance, they struggle to afford using it.
As Lydia Saad, director of U.S. social research at Gallup, put it: “They can’t afford the plans”. This issue has come to the forefront as lawmakers debate the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, set to expire by year’s end, potentially causing average insurance premiums to double, according to KFF estimates, a non-profit specializing in health care policy studies.
Public concern regarding health care costs has surged since last year. Gallup’s research found that worry about costs rose 12% among Democrats and 10% among Republicans, while remaining stable among independents.
Interestingly, Gallup found that only 16% of individuals were satisfied with overall US health care costs while a more significant 57% expressed satisfaction with their personal expenses. This discrepancy might stem from fear over potential financial ramifications in case of a medical emergency.
Liz Hamel, KFF’s vice president of public opinion research, shared that “Health care is a pocketbook issue for people”. In fact, a recent KFF survey found more than one-third of Americans have delayed or avoided medical care due to costs, with 1 in 5 reporting worsening health as a result.
Additional information
More information on health care costs and affordability can be found on KFF’s website.
Implications of Rising Health Care Costs
The continuing rise in health care costs remains a significant concern even for those with insurance.
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