Survey Shows One-Third of Americans Cut Other Spending to Pay Medical Expenses Last Year

According to a study released Thursday by the West Health Policy Center and Gallup, about one-third of Americans last year cut back on food, utilities, or other daily expenses to pay for healthcare, as rising prices and living costs have taken a heavy toll on families.

A nationwide and state-representative survey of nearly 20,000 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that 33% of respondents made at least one sacrifice in their daily spending to cover healthcare costs. The survey was conducted from June to August 2025.

This situation is more common among Americans without health insurance, with 62% saying they have sacrificed at least once to pay for medical expenses, including 32% who had to borrow money and 24% who extended their current medication cycles.

The survey found that nearly 30% of those with health insurance also made at least one sacrifice.

Most Americans with private health insurance will face higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs in 2026, including millions enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans that received additional subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have now expired.

“We find that more people are reporting conditions like metabolic diseases or depression, anxiety than before. Our society’s overall health has not improved; it’s actually gotten worse, and healthcare costs continue to rise,” said Timothy Lash, president of the West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit organization focused on healthcare and aging issues.

In another survey of 5,660 American adults (primarily conducted by Gallup from October to December last year), respondents reported delaying certain life events or changes—such as buying a new home or going on vacation—due to medical expenses over the past four years.

In the survey released Thursday, nearly 9% of respondents delayed retirement plans because of healthcare costs, and 18% said they postponed job changes.