New data from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America reveals a growing crisis in medical access, with only 49% of Americans classified as “Cost Secure”—able to consistently afford healthcare visits and prescription medications without financial hardship. This marks the lowest affordability level since the Healthcare Affordability Index began tracking data in 2021, representing a steady decline of 4 percentage points over five years. The findings underscore that a majority of the US population now faces significant financial barriers when seeking necessary medical care. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and patient advocates are increasingly recognizing that affordability constraints are creating gaps in treatment adherence, preventive care utilization, and overall health outcomes across diverse demographic groups. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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