New Study Finds Healthcare Anxiety Hits Record High as Costs Soar

A new West Health and Gallup study finds that Americans' anxiety over healthcare affordability has reached a record high, with nearly half of adults worrying they won't be able to afford care in the coming year, as reported by Becker's Hospital Review. The findings paint a stark picture of a system where rising costs are forcing tough choices and fueling widespread public concern.

• Skipping the bill: The financial strain is forcing tough choices, with nearly a third of Americans having skipped medical tests due to cost. The unease has led a record nearly a quarter of Americans to describe the U.S. healthcare system as being "in a state of crisis," according to the polling.

• ZIP code lottery: "ZIP code should not determine whether you can afford to see a doctor or fill a prescription — but in America today, it often does,” said Shelley Lyford, CEO of the West Health Institute. The data shows stark differences between states: nearly half of adults in Mississippi skipped care due to cost, compared to less than 20% in Massachusetts.

• The employer squeeze: The pressure isn't just on individuals. Costs for employer-sponsored health insurance jumped 6% in 2025 and are projected to surpass $18,500 per employee in 2026—a rate of increase not seen in over a decade, according to a recent Mercer survey.

That pressure could soon intensify due to a looming policy cliff: pandemic-era tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans expire at the end of 2025. Without them, insurance costs are projected to double for over 20 million Americans. The anxiety is hitting families particularly hard, with separate data showing the average cost for employer-sponsored family coverage has already hit nearly $27,000 a year. While some projections point to a 6.7% cost hike, others warn of a 10% jump in 2026. This all contributes to a level of cost anxiety that has now soared to its highest point in two decades.