Healthcare costs are the top economic concern among Americans, according to findings from the KFF Health Tracking Poll published Jan. 29.
The KFF Health Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust was conducted Jan. 13-20 and surveyed 1,426 U.S. adults.
Six things to know:
1. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they are “very worried” about affording healthcare for themselves and their families, followed by 34% who said they are somewhat worried. Another 22% said they were “not too worried,” and 12% said they were not at all worried.
2. Healthcare ranked above food and groceries, rent or mortgage, monthly utilities, and gasoline or other transportation costs. While 24% said they were very worried about food and grocery costs, 23% said the same about rent or mortgage.
3. More than half of respondents said their healthcare costs increased in the past year, while 39% said costs remained about the same. Among adults younger than 65 with self-purchased insurance, 66% said their costs rose, followed by 64% of those under 65 with employer-sponsored insurance, 53% of Medicare recipients 65 and older, and 38% of Medicaid recipients under 65.
4. About 1 in 5 Americans said their healthcare costs have risen faster than their monthly utility or grocery costs.
5. Fifty-six percent of respondents said they expect healthcare to become less affordable for themselves and their families in the coming year.
6. About 8 in 10 U.S. adults said their overall cost of living has increased over the past year, including 50% who said it increased significantly and 32% who said it increased moderately.
Read the full poll results here.
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