Survey data show that rising healthcare costs are transforming household spending and delaying important life decisions.

A third of adults in the United States reduced spending on food, energy, or other basic needs in 2025 in order to pay for healthcare, according to a survey released Thursday by the West Health-Gallup Center.

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The nationally representative study, conducted between June and August 2025 among nearly 20,000 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, found that 33% of respondents made at least one financial sacrifice in their daily expenses to cover medical costs, amid sustained pressure from rising prices and the cost of living.

The impact was more pronounced among those without health insurance. The survey found that 62% of uninsured respondents made at least one sacrifice to afford care. Within that group, 32% reported borrowing money, while 24% delayed taking prescribed medication. Among insured individuals, nearly three in ten also reported cutting back on essential spending.

At the same time, many U.S. citizens with private insurance are facing higher premiums and increased out-of-pocket costs in 2026. This includes millions enrolled in subsidized plans under the Affordable Care Act, following the expiration of additional subsidies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Indeed, we are seeing people reporting a higher incidence of metabolic diseases or depression and anxiety. As a society, we are not improving our health, but are in fact getting sicker, and at the same time healthcare costs are increasing,” said Timothy Lash, president of the West Health Policy Center.

A separate survey of 5,660 adults, conducted mainly between October and December 2025, found that healthcare costs have also influenced long-term personal decisions. Respondents reported postponing major life events over the past four years, including purchasing a home or taking vacations. Nearly 9% said they had delayed retirement due to medical expenses, while roughly twice that proportion reported postponing a job change.

The findings indicate that healthcare costs are increasingly shaping both immediate consumption patterns and longer-term planning among households across the country.

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