Rising Healthcare Costs Challenge Americans to Make Tough Choices

Thu Mar 19 2026 18:08:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A KFF survey reveals that many Americans are grappling with increased healthcare costs and making difficult decisions about their health as tax credits expire.

A new survey conducted by KFF highlights the struggles of many Americans, including 48-year-old Priscilla Brown, who must balance medication needs with everyday essentials. With 80% of ACA marketplace enrollees reporting increased costs, decisions about health insurance are leading to cuts in household spending, food, and even medication. A bipartisan push to maintain previous subsidies faced political hurdles, leaving millions facing higher premiums and complex choices around their health and financial stability.

NEW YORK (AP) — Many Americans, like Priscilla Brown, are finding it increasingly challenging to manage their health while keeping up with rising living costs, including fuel and groceries. With type 2 diabetes, Brown, a 48-year-old truck dispatcher from Florida, often has to ration her insulin doses just to make her supply last longer.

Some days, I don't even take my medicine, Brown lamented. She’s one of approximately 80% of Americans re-enrolling in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans who report higher healthcare costs this year. Many mention that the expiration of enhanced tax credits on December 31 contributed significantly to the rise in premiums.

According to a new survey from KFF, a health care research nonprofit, half of the respondents claimed their costs had increased significantly. For Brown and many others, this financial strain is forcing real impacts on daily life, with about 55% of those surveyed stating they plan to cope by cutting back on food and other essential needs.

The ongoing battle in Congress over healthcare costs has seen attempts to renew the COVID-era subsidies face intense political opposition, particularly from Republican lawmakers. A proposed compromise that could help millions in March fizzled out, leaving around 23 million ACA enrollees without any relief.

Amid rising anxieties regarding medical costs, approximately three-quarters of last year's enrollees now worry about the potential for emergency medical expenses, while concerns about regular visits and prescriptions also persist.

With around 30% of enrollees changing their plans and some opting for lower-tier options or dropping coverage outright, individuals like Eric LeVasseur in California faced drastic premium hikes for their ACA plans and ultimately decided to discontinue their insurance. The political landscape remains complex as many enrollees express frustration with both insurance companies and policymakers. As costs rise and options wane, the struggle for affordable healthcare continues across the nation.