When you’re looking at people’s opinions about health care, it’s important to keep in mind that 85 percent of adults in the US say that their health is good or better than good. These people tend to be satisfied with their health insurance because they use it relatively little. Still, a lot of Americans remain concerned about high health care and prescription drug costs and medical bills, according to recent Peterson-KFF polling.
Forty-five percent of adults in the US are worried about their ability to pay medical bills. Twenty-eight percent of adults said that they delayed or went without care because of the cost. Eleven percent struggled to pay medical bills. And, 11 percent said that they did not have a usual source of care.
Adults who were uninsured, in poorer health, Black adults, and Hispanic adults, were much more likely to forego or postpone care because of the cost than others. Thirty-six percent of Hispanic adults, 32 percent of Black adults and 25 percent of white adults said they delayed or went without care because of the cost, underscoring health care inequities.
Of course, the uninsured generally face higher out-of-pocket costs than people with health insurance. And, people with lower incomes struggle more than people with higher incomes to cover insurance deductibles and copays.
Twenty one percent of adults said they went without dental care because of the cost. Sixteen percent said they went without mental health care, drugs or medical care because of the cost.
Likely because Medicare tends to provide better financial protection from health care costs than employer coverage and coverage on the state health insurance exchanges, fewer older adults delayed or went without care than adults under 65. One in five adults over 65 said they delayed or went without care because of the cost. Three in ten adults under 65 said they delayed or went without care because of the cost.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Medicare Advantage costs and prior authorization rules impede access to care
- 2025: Programs that lower your costs if you have Medicare
- 2025: Tariffs take effect, your costs likely to rise
- Medicare Part D drug costs: What to expect in 2025
- Poll: Health care costs are a top economic priority for voters
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