Study: 29 Million U.S. Adults Struggle to Afford or Access Care

Over 11% of U.S. adults, equivalent to nearly 29 million people, are unable to afford or access quality healthcare, the highest rate since 2021, according to the West Health-Gallup Healthcare Indices Study. The study highlights significant increases in "Cost Desperate" individuals among Hispanic adults (18%), Black adults (14%), and those earning under $24,000 annually (25%), while the situation for White adults and higher-income groups has seen little change. Furthermore, the percentage of Americans classified as "Cost Secure" has dropped to 51%, with notable declines among Hispanic (34%) and Black (41%) adults, underscoring increasing disparities in healthcare access based on race and income.

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