Poll Reveals Less Than Half of Americans Afford Quality Healthcare

WHO:

CBS News - Gallup conducted the poll involving 5,660 U.S. adults.

CBS News - KFF, a nonprofit provider of health policy news and research, provided estimates on ACA enrollment.

WHAT:

CBS News - Less than half of Americans could afford medical expenses and access to quality care last year, with the share of "cost secure" Americans falling to 49%.

CBS News - The percentage of cost-secure Americans decreased from 61% in 2022, marking the lowest level since Gallup began tracking in 2021.

CBS News - Fifty-one percent of those polled expressed concern about paying for medical services in the next year, while 42% worried about affording prescription drugs.

CBS News - About one-third of households earning between $120,000 and $179,999 and one-fifth of those making at least $180,000 reported lacking quality coverage or struggling with expenses.

CBS News - Adults aged 18 to 29 are the most vulnerable, with only about a third considered cost-secure.

CBS News - ACA enrollment dipped by more than 1 million from 2025, with an estimated 5 million fewer people expected to enroll in ACA plans this year.

CBS News - The Trump administration announced "The Great Healthcare Plan" aimed at lowering health insurance premiums and providing financial assistance for healthcare costs.

CBS News - The administration launched TrumpRx, a site for discounted drug prices.

WHERE:

CBS News - The poll was conducted across the United States.

WHEN:

CBS News - The Gallup findings are based on surveys conducted between October and December of the previous year.

CBS News - The expiration of Affordable Care Act tax subsidies occurred in early 2026.

WHY:

CBS News - The decline in affordability is attributed to rising healthcare costs and the expiration of ACA tax subsidies.

HOW:

CBS News - Gallup conducted the findings through web and mail surveys.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 18:04 UTC)

A recent Gallup poll involving over 5,600 U.S. adults reveals that less than half of Americans could afford medical expenses and access quality care last year, with the percentage of "cost secure" individuals dropping to 49%, the lowest level since tracking began in 2021. The poll also highlighted that 51% of respondents are concerned about paying for medical services in the coming year, and about one-third of households earning between $120,000 and $179,999 reported struggling with coverage or expenses. Meanwhile, ACA enrollment has decreased by more than 1 million from the previous year, with an estimated 5 million fewer people expected to enroll this year, largely due to rising healthcare costs and the expiration of ACA tax subsidies earlier this year.