A concerning trend has emerged in American healthcare as new data reveals 35% of U.S. adults cannot access affordable, quality medical care - the highest level recorded since 2021. This represents a four-point increase from 2023, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Indices Study.
The healthcare affordability crisis has hit minority and low-income communities particularly hard. Hispanic adults saw an eight-point jump to 18% in those classified as "Cost Desperate" - meaning they lack access to quality care and cannot pay for needed medical services. Black adults experienced a five-point increase to 14%, while households earning under $24,000 annually saw an eleven-point surge to 25%.
The study paints a stark picture of growing inequality in healthcare access. While higher-income households and White Americans have maintained relatively stable access to care, the gap between demographic groups has widened to unprecedented levels since tracking began.
Only 51% of Americans now qualify as "Cost Secure" - having reliable access to quality, affordable healthcare. This rate drops dramatically among Hispanic adults (34%) and Black adults (41%). For households earning less than $24,000 per year, just 23% are considered Cost Secure, marking a 14-point decline since 2021.
The financial impact has been severe. An estimated $74 billion was borrowed by Americans to cover medical expenses last year. Nearly 60% of adults report feeling worried about potential medical debt from a major health event. Many have cut basic expenses like food and transportation to afford care, while others remain in unwanted jobs solely for health benefits.
Experts attribute these trends to multiple factors, including elevated medical inflation, ongoing drug shortages, and recent changes in Medicaid enrollment policies. As the divide in healthcare access continues to grow, the data suggests an urgent need for solutions to address this widening gap in American healthcare.