US (Washington Insider) - A Gallup poll shows 29% of Americans worry about high health costs in the US. ACA subsidies ending could double premiums, experts from KFF, including Liz Hamel, warn.
As U.S News reported, a new Gallup poll finds that many Americans are increasingly concerned about the country’s health care system. The survey, conducted from November 3, 2025, to 25, 2025, with roughly 1,300 adults, shows that nearly 1 in 4 believe the system is in crisis. Rising health care costs lead public concern, with 29% of Americans calling them the nation’s biggest health challenge.
A further 23% stated that the health care system is facing significant issues or is on the verge of collapse (hit by a financial crisis). These are among some of the highest ratings for Gallup in years; however, concern for the health care system is great across all political affiliations. 81% of Democrats and 64% of Republicans think that the current healthcare situation is in dire need of repair.
What rising US health costs and ending ACA subsidies mean for Americans?
Many now say that having insurance is not enough if they cannot afford care. Rising deductibles, copayments, and other out-of-pocket costs make it harder for people to get the care they need.
"It's not that they don't have the plans,’’
Lydia Saad, director of U.S. social research at Gallup, told The Washington Post.
"They can't afford the plans."
Lawmakers are debating whether to extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that help millions of Americans pay for health insurance. The subsidies are scheduled to end at the close of the year. Experts warn that if they are not renewed, average insurance premiums could more than double.
The warning comes from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that studies health care policy. The possible rise in costs has caused concern among the public, especially for households already struggling to afford medical care.
A Gallup poll found that concern rose 12 points among Democrats and 10 points among Republicans, while independents’ worry stayed about the same. Only 16% said they are satisfied with the overall cost of U.S. health care, while 57% said they are satisfied with what they personally pay.
"Even if they're not having trouble paying for it today,”
surprise bills could cause serious financial harm, Liz Hamel, vice president of public opinion research at KFF, told The Post.
A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than one-third of Americans delayed or skipped care because of cost, and about 1 in 5 said their health worsened as a result.
"Health care is a pocketbook issue for people,"
Hamel said.
On March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act or "Obamacare” became law to assist in increasing access to health insurance, decreasing healthcare costs, and improving the quality of care. The law provided subsidies that would allow low- and middle-class Americans to afford health insurance, expanded the eligibility for Medicaid in certain states, and established the Health Insurance Marketplace.