Key Takeaways

47% of U.S. adults worry they can’t afford care in 2026

1 in 5 households couldn’t pay for a prescription in the last three months

State 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 new year and a growing number say those expenses are already shaping their decisions for care, according to a new survey.

The latest West Health–Gallup poll , shows that 47% of adults are worried they won’t be able to afford health care in 2026, the highest level since the organizations began tracking these concerns four years ago.

And 1 in 5 adults say someone in their household couldn’t pay for a prescription in the last three months.

The report, based on near

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