Poll: Roughly 82 Million Americans Cut Essentials to Afford Health Care
West Health–Gallup polling found about 82 million Americans are skipping meals, rationing medications and borrowing to pay health costs as enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired on Dec. 31.
HuffPostAmericans Are Skipping Meals And Borrowing Money To Pay For Health Care
CBS NewsMillions of Americans skip meals, stretch medication to afford health care
Daily BeastStaggering Number of Americans Skip Meals to Pay for Healthcare
SemaforAmericans cut back to afford health care, poll finds
Overview
A West Health–Gallup Center poll found about 82 million Americans are cutting back on essentials — including skipping meals and stretching prescriptions — to afford health care.
Lawmakers allowed enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to expire on Dec. 31, pushing higher insurance costs for many people, according to the research.
West Health research director Ellyn Maese said the U.S. health care system "is not working for Americans" and called the findings a wakeup call.
Surveys found roughly 15% rationed prescriptions, 15% borrowed money, 11% skipped meals, and nearly one in 10 adults — about 24 million — postponed retirement, with roughly 60% to 62% of uninsured people making sacrifices.
West Health said it has tracked affordability since 2021 and warned that without major change millions will continue to make sacrifices, making health costs a leading issue in the midterm elections.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources generally report this story neutrally: they rely on poll figures and specific examples of tradeoffs (stretching prescriptions, skipping meals), attribute political response to Democrats, and note timing of subsidies and bipartisan talks. Language is factual, perspectives are attributed to named actors, and significant viewpoints aren't omitted.
FAQ
The enhanced ACA premium tax credits, introduced by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act, increased the amount and availability of subsidies for Marketplace enrollees, including those with incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level.[1]
The West Health–Gallup poll found 15% rationed prescriptions, 15% borrowed money, 11% skipped meals, and nearly 10% of adults (about 24 million) postponed retirement, with 60-62% of uninsured people making such sacrifices.[web:0]
Premiums will rise sharply; for example, enrollees below 400% FPL face increases of hundreds to over $1,500 per person, a family of four at 404% FPL sees monthly premiums jump from $921 to $1,998, and a 59-year-old could pay over $14,213 annually.[1]
Older adults (50-64) with incomes over 400% FPL, rural residents, low and middle-income families, and those under 55 with higher uninsurance risk will face the largest premium hikes and coverage losses.[1]
About 7.3 million could lose subsidized coverage, 4.8 million become uninsured, uncompensated care rises by $7.7 billion, and federal deficit could increase by $335 billion if made permanent.
