As the cost of living escalates in 2026, a recent poll reveals that the burden of health care expenses looms larger than any other financial worry for many Americans. Conducted by the KFF Health, the survey highlights the urgent anxiety surrounding health insurance affordability, which is set to influence voter behaviour in the upcoming midterm elections.
Health Care Anxiety Surpasses Other Financial Concerns
Amidst soaring grocery prices and increasing living costs, health care remains at the forefront of public anxiety. The survey, which gathered responses from over 1,400 adults earlier this month, indicates that approximately two-thirds of participants express considerable concern over their ability to manage health insurance and out-of-pocket expenses. Notably, around one-third reported being “very worried” about affording necessary health care for themselves and their families.
In comparison, fewer than 25% of respondents indicated similar levels of concern regarding their ability to purchase food, pay rent or mortgage, or cover utility bills. This shift in priorities underscores a significant change in public sentiment as more Americans feel the strain of escalating health care costs.
Political Implications of Health Care Concerns
The implications of this growing concern are likely to reverberate through the political landscape, particularly as the midterm elections approach. Ashley Kirzinger, a KFF pollster, emphasised that health care has traditionally been viewed as a secondary issue in political discourse. However, she noted that the current climate suggests that affordability of health care might be a decisive factor for voters this year. “The country is looking for someone to take on health care costs,” Kirzinger stated. Over 40% of respondents indicated that health care affordability would significantly influence their voting decisions.
The Human Cost of Medical Expenses
While health care has always been a pressing issue, the current poll results reflect alarming trends in rising costs that are affecting nearly all Americans. Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reveals that health care spending surged by 7.5% between 2022 and 2023 and continued at a rate of 7.2% from 2023 to 2024. This increase follows the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits that had previously aided millions in affording health insurance, alongside federal funding cuts to Medicaid, which serves nearly 70 million individuals.
As many as 56% of poll participants anticipate that health care costs will become even more unaffordable in the near future. Alarmingly, one in five respondents noted that their health care expenses have risen more sharply than costs for food or utilities. This situation poses a serious threat to households already operating on tight budgets, as medical debt remains a leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States. Dr. Liz Fowler, a Distinguished Scholar at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, points out that 60% to 65% of personal bankruptcies are linked to unpaid medical bills.
The Dire Consequences of Unaffordable Care
The ramifications of unaffordable health care extend beyond financial strain. An estimated 27 million Americans lack health insurance, and about 20% of the population will face a significant medical event in any given year. This reality often forces individuals to delay or forgo necessary medical care, which can lead to deteriorating health outcomes. Dr. Gerard Anderson, a professor in Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins, highlights the grim statistic that approximately 68,000 Americans die each year due to a lack of access to essential health care services.
Why it Matters
The growing concern over health care costs is not merely a statistic; it reflects the lived experiences of countless families grappling with the financial implications of medical expenses. As the midterm elections draw near, the priorities of voters are shifting, signalling that addressing health care affordability could become a pivotal issue. For many, the ability to access quality health care may well define not only their economic stability but also their very lives. As public sentiment continues to evolve, politicians will need to respond to these pressing concerns or risk losing the trust of their constituents.
