Healthcare Costs Force Millions of Americans to Cut Basic Expenses, Delay Major Life Decisions

WASHINGTON — A new report shows rising healthcare costs aren’t just hitting Americans at the doctor’s office; they’re reshaping everyday life and long-term plans for tens of millions of people across the country.

According to comprehensive data from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America, approximately one in three U.S. adults—representing more than 82 million Americans—report cutting back on basic expenses simply to afford healthcare. These findings emerge from a national survey of nearly 20,000 adults conducted in 2025, highlighting a growing crisis in healthcare affordability that transcends demographic groups.

The cutbacks reported extend well beyond discretionary spending. Many respondents indicated taking drastic measures such as reducing utilities usage, limiting driving to save on gasoline costs, stretching prescription medications beyond recommended dosing schedules, and borrowing money specifically to cover medical expenses.

While the financial strain is most pronounced among lower-income and uninsured Americans—with approximately 62% of uninsured adults reporting such trade-offs—the impact has spread across the economic spectrum. Nearly 30% of insured Americans also report making similar sacrifices, undermining the notion that insurance coverage alone provides adequate financial protection against healthcare costs.

“What we’re seeing is that healthcare affordability has become a national crisis affecting Americans across virtually all income brackets,” said a spokesperson for the West Health-Gallup Center. “These aren’t just statistics—they represent millions of families making difficult choices between healthcare and other essential needs.”

Even households with substantial incomes report feeling the squeeze. Roughly one-quarter of people earning between $90,000 and $120,000 annually report making healthcare-related financial sacrifices. Perhaps more surprisingly, the data show that some households earning over $240,000 per year—placing them in the top 5% of American earners—report similar challenges.

Healthcare industry analysts note these findings come amid continued growth in healthcare spending, which has consistently outpaced inflation and wage increases for decades. The average family health insurance premium has increased approximately 55% over the past decade, while wages have grown at a significantly slower rate.

The repercussions of healthcare costs extend beyond immediate financial pressures, reshaping major life trajectories for millions of Americans. A separate analysis from the same research group reveals that an estimated 24 million adults have postponed retirement specifically due to healthcare expenses. Additionally, 18% report delaying job changes, 14% have put off buying a home, and 6% have delayed starting or growing a family.

These delayed life decisions affect Americans across the income spectrum. Approximately half of households earning between $48,000 and $180,000 have postponed at least one major life decision due to healthcare costs. Even among higher earners, the impact remains significant: about one-third of those making $180,000 to $240,000 and one in four earning over $240,000 report delaying important life plans.

Healthcare economists point to several factors driving these trends, including rising prescription drug costs, increasing hospital consolidation that reduces competition, and the continued shift of costs from employers to employees through higher deductibles and copayments.

Policy experts suggest various potential solutions, ranging from increased price transparency to more comprehensive insurance reforms. Some advocate for expanding government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, while others promote market-based approaches focused on increasing competition and consumer choice.

What’s clear from the data is that healthcare costs are no longer just a medical or policy issue—they have become a central economic factor reshaping how Americans spend, save, and plan their futures. As the national conversation around healthcare reform continues, these findings underscore the wide-ranging impact of healthcare affordability on American lives beyond the doctor’s office.