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Health Care Affordability

Health care costs are people’s primary source of anxiety and often prevents people from getting the care they need.

Health care affordability is the biggest concern people want addressed.

What Does Affordable Health Care Really Mean for People? 

Health care affordability has become one of the most talked-about issues in the country. But for most people, it’s not a political talking point. It’s a kitchen table issue that people experience in their day to day lives. 

Across the country, people are telling us the same thing over and over again: health care costs are too high, and it’s getting harder to afford the care they need. 

To those we’ve listened to, affordability means being able to see a doctor, fill a prescription, and pay for coverage without financial stress.

Latest Insights on Health Care Affordability

Our latest research continues to show that cost is the number one issue people face. 

New National poll

How do everyday people experience health care affordability?

Key Takeaways on Health Care Affordability

  • Cost is the top concern people have about health care
  • Affordability affects every decision people make about care
  • Many people delay or avoid care because of cost
  • True affordability means not going into medical debt for care

What is “Affordable” Health Care?

United States of Care is a trusted, nonpartisan health care organization that works to understand how people experience health care costs in their everyday lives. We listen to people’s experiences with the health care system and turn those insights into people-first policy solutions that we advocate for at the state and federal levels, influencing policymakers on both sides of the aisle. Over the past six years, we have listened to over 30,000 people across all 50 states, spending 5,000+ hours gathering insights about health care affordability. Across different regions, incomes, backgrounds, and political leanings one pattern consistently emerges: people are not confident they can afford health care costs or access affordable care when they need it. 

Some people postpone care until issues become more serious. Others move forward, but with financial strain that can last long after treatment ends. In both cases, the result is the same: a system that feels reactive instead of reliable.

But, affordability is not just about price. Everyday experiences shape how people define affordable health care. It includes not just medical bills, but the surrounding realities of care: taking time off work, arranging child care, or finding transportation to an appointment. Affordability can also mean whether or not people feel like the care they receive is worth the cost they’re paying. When people feel like prices are unclear or unfair, they begin to question whether the system is working for them or working for profits.

 “Affordability” is about predictability, trust, and the ability to seek care without hesitation. When those elements are missing, people aren’t just navigating health decisions, they’re managing financial risk every step of the way.
People often delay necessary treatment because they are concerned about the cost. One North Carolina resident shared:

I had some medical debt that was coming up and I got an abscess on my hand and I waited. I thought it’s going to clear up, it’s going to clear up, it’s going to clear up. I wound up getting septic because I originally didn’t want to go for care because I was worried about the expense. You work a few days hanging out, waiting, just it’s going to get better, it’s going to get better, [but] it costs me.

Caldwell County, North Carolina

What Needs to Change to Make Health Care More Affordable

Addressing health care affordability requires action across the system. There isn’t one single fix, because people’s views on what makes health care affordable vary based on their needs over time, geography, demographics, and income. But there are commonsense, bipartisan solutions that can help reduce health care costs, improve access to affordable care, and ensure people can keep themselves and their families healthy.

First, the price of care itself needs to go down. High hospital prices, consolidation, and other systemic factors are driving up costs, making health care harder to afford for families.

At the same time, people need clearer and more understandable information about what care will cost. Too often, people are left in the dark until a bill arrives, making it nearly impossible to plan ahead or make informed decisions.

And while health insurance plays an important role, coverage alone isn’t enough. Even people with insurance struggle to afford care, which means policymakers must also address the underlying cost of services.

Just as importantly, solutions must reflect what people are asking for: practical, targeted changes that lower costs and improve their day-to-day experience.

United States of Care serves as the bridge between the voices of people and the halls of power. We’re working to elevate what people need from the health care system, including affordable care, lower health care costs, and better access to care, and turn those needs into durable health policy change.

[Last Updated: 4/21/26]

Keep Exploring Health Care Affordability

Affordability is at the center of how people experience the health care system. Explore our latest research, state and federal policy advocacy, and solutions to learn more about how we can make care more affordable for everyone.

Read more about our work on health care affordability:
View more affordability updates

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