How Worried Are Americans About Health Insurance Prices? Very, According to KFF

It’s not news that the cost of health care is sky-high in the United States. Our nation spends more per capita on health care costs than any other of the 37 high-income nations in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Health insurance is the main mechanism by which we offset those costs for consumers. But since Congress failed to extend the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies in December, tens of millions of Americans’ health insurance premiums increased overnight — many by more than double their previous rate.

It makes sense, then, that per a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), two-thirds of Americans (66%) say they’re worried about being able to afford health care for themselves and their family — ranking health care costs higher than other big-ticket items like food, utilities, gas and even housing.

New KFF report reveals Americans are worried about health care costs

While health care costs top the list, more than four in five KFF respondents (82%) say their overall cost of living has increased over the last year. And 50% of respondents say it’s increased “a lot.”

And of the categories in which those costs may have increased — broken down into health care, food and groceries, housing costs, monthly utilities and fuel or transportation costs — health care tops the list of Americans’ budgetary worries. Around 66% of respondents say they are worried about affording health care, with nearly a third (32%) agreeing they’re “very worried.” By comparison, only 24% of Americans are “very worried” about the cost of food and groceries, the next-highest category.

Overall, more than half of respondents (55%) say their health care costs have increased in the past year, though specifics do vary a bit along party lines: 58% of Democrats say their health care costs have increased, compared to 51% of Republicans. (Still, even among the party that supports the current administration, that’s more than half.)

Even more Americans, 56%, say they expect their health care costs to become even less affordable as the year progresses. (For this question, the partisan difference is more pronounced: 68% of Democrats expect less affordability, compared to 46% of Republicans.)

Unsurprisingly given the end of the subsidies, those under the age of 65 who self-purchased their insurance — presumably through the ACA marketplace — are more likely to say their costs have increased, and to expect even less affordability in the coming year.

Most Americans — 67% — also agreed that Congress did the “wrong thing” by choosing not to extend the ACA tax credit, a percentage that increases to 87% among Democrats and goes down to 37% among Republicans.

Health insurance costs are rising, but you can still find ways to pay less

It’s just plain true: For many Americans, health care costs are increasing. Still, there are some factors within your control to help you minimize costs.

For starters, if you’re able to secure health care through an employer plan, you may pay less than those who are purchasing health insurance on the market (aka Obamacare). If you do need to purchase a marketplace plan, comparing quotes can help you find the best policy for your needs at the lowest possible monthly premium — though the average cost of a Silver plan is now more than $700. That’s 21% more than in 2025.

Taking good care of yourself can minimize your risks of certain health concerns. For example, drinking increases the risk of many kinds of cancers, while exercise and eating well can fight disease.

Along with caring for ourselves, we must also care for each other. Voting counts — and three-quarters of KFF respondents said that the cost of health care will have an impact on their upcoming midterm vote.