One in Three Americans Making Financial Sacrifices for Health Coverage

A March 2026 survey shows about one‑third of U.S. adults are skipping meals, delaying surgery or postponing home purchases to afford health coverage ^[1].

The findings matter because health‑care costs have risen faster than wages, and the temporary expansion of Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at the start of 2025—leaving many families to shoulder higher premiums and deductibles. Rising health‑care costs are pushing people to change jobs or delay major purchases. The loss of expanded ACA subsidies is making coverage less affordable for many.

The survey, conducted by a national research firm and released Thursday, interviewed 2,500 adults across all states. About 33 percent reported making at least one financial sacrifice to keep coverage, the highest share recorded in any yearly poll ^[1]. One in three Americans say they skip meals to keep health insurance. The report also noted that the sacrifices represent “unspecified millions” of people nationwide, underscoring the scale of the problem ^[2].

Common sacrifices include skipping meals, delaying elective surgery, switching to lower‑paying jobs with better benefits, and postponing home purchases. One respondent said she turned down a promotion because the new role would have reduced her employer‑provided health plan. Another said he delayed a needed knee operation to avoid a $4,000 co‑pay.

Health insurers said a wave of under‑insured consumers could increase claim volatility and push premiums higher. Policy makers said restoring or expanding ACA subsidies could relieve pressure on households and reduce the number of people making such sacrifices. Consumer advocates said that without affordable coverage, avoidable health complications could rise, adding to overall health‑care spending.

The survey’s timing coincides with a broader debate in Congress about health‑care reform. Lawmakers from both parties said the current affordability gap threatens public health and economic stability. Any legislative action will need to address not only premium costs but also out‑of‑pocket expenses that drive families to cut back on basic needs.

**What this means:** The data suggest that a sizable portion of the population is financially strained to maintain health insurance, which could lead to poorer health outcomes and higher long‑term costs for the health system. Addressing affordability through subsidy extensions or cost‑containment measures may reduce the need for such sacrifices and improve overall public health.