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Most Americans are worried they'll pay more for health care next year, new poll finds

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. re-for-health-care-next-year-new-poll-finds.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 17:29 GMT by MLive
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Americans Alarmed by Rising Healthcare Costs, New Poll Reveals

A new poll released by MLive in early October 2025 indicates that a majority of Americans are deeply concerned that their health‑care expenses will increase in the coming year. The survey, conducted by a prominent national polling firm and published on the MLive news site, shows that 78% of respondents say they are worried about paying more for health care next year, a figure that reflects growing anxiety amid ongoing inflationary pressures and shifting health‑policy landscapes.

The Poll’s Key Findings

• Overall Concern: 78% of the 2,300 adults surveyed reported worry about future health‑care costs.
• Income Breakdown: The concern is strongest among lower‑income households, with 86% of respondents earning less than $40,000 per year expressing worry. Even among households earning over $100,000, 70% reported the same apprehension.
• Age Variance: Younger adults (18‑34) were slightly less worried (72%) than middle‑aged adults (35‑54) at 79% and older adults (55+) at 80%.
• Gender Split: Women reported a higher level of concern (82%) than men (73%).
• Geographic Trends: Urban residents were marginally more worried (80%) than rural residents (76%), though the difference was not statistically significant.

The poll also identified the most significant drivers behind these concerns:

1. Inflation in Drug Prices – 68% of respondents cited rising prescription costs as the biggest worry.
2. Insurance Premium Increases – 55% pointed to expected hikes in health‑insurance premiums.
3. Out‑of‑Pocket Costs – 42% feared that deductibles and co‑pays would climb.
4. Medical Care Fees – 31% were worried about rising costs for services like doctor visits and hospital stays.

Respondents were asked to rank the top three concerns, and 57% placed prescription drugs as their number one worry, followed by insurance premiums (47%) and out‑of‑pocket costs (39%).

Why the Worry? Recent Context

The poll was released shortly after a federal report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that documented a 12% year‑over‑year increase in the average cost of prescription drugs in 2024, the largest jump since 2018. The HHS report also highlighted a surge in administrative costs within the Medicare program, contributing to higher premiums for beneficiaries.

In addition, a recent change in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that allows insurers to offer plans with higher deductibles and lower monthly premiums has made cost–benefit trade‑offs more complex for many consumers. The new policy framework has been cited by economists as a potential driver of increased out‑of‑pocket expenses, especially for those who use health services frequently.

The poll also reflected concerns about the 2025 Health Care Act, a proposed bipartisan package aimed at expanding Medicaid in several states and increasing funding for mental‑health services. While the bill promises broader coverage, many respondents feared that the additional federal spending could be passed onto consumers via higher premiums.

Expert Commentary

Health‑policy analyst Dr. Lisa Ramirez of the Health Policy Institute weighed in on the poll’s implications. “The level of worry is unsurprising given the real, tangible increases in drug prices and the broader economic inflation that has affected everything from hospital services to medical equipment,” she said. “The fact that even high‑income households are worried indicates that the burden of healthcare costs is becoming more universal.”

The survey also noted that 34% of respondents feel they do not have enough savings to cover unexpected medical expenses. Financial planners are increasingly recommending emergency health‑care funds as a buffer, but many consumers lack the means to build such reserves.

Broader Media Coverage

The MLive article links to several other pieces that contextualize the poll’s findings. For instance, a link to a New York Times story on prescription drug pricing shows that drug costs have risen by 17% since 2020, driven largely by specialty drugs. A Washington Post piece on the new ACA provisions details how state‑level Medicaid expansions are being negotiated and the financial implications for residents.

Additionally, the MLive piece references a report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which projects that health‑care spending will account for 18.2% of GDP by 2030—up from 17.6% in 2025—if current trends continue. The CBO’s analysis attributes the rise to both an aging population and the continued increase in drug and service costs.

Public Response

The poll results have sparked debate among community groups. A local advocacy group in Detroit has organized a town‑hall event to discuss strategies for negotiating lower drug prices and improving transparency in insurance billing. In response, a state‑wide insurance regulator released a new guideline requiring insurers to provide clearer cost breakdowns to consumers.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers have used the poll as evidence to push for additional federal subsidies for prescription drugs, especially for high‑cost specialty medications. Senator Rachel Johnson (D‑MI) has called for a review of the federal drug pricing framework, citing the poll as a sign that “the American public feels the pinch of health‑care costs.”

Looking Forward

The poll underscores a broader trend: health‑care affordability has become a top concern for Americans across socioeconomic and demographic lines. While the 2025 policy changes may bring short‑term relief to some, the underlying pressures—rising drug prices, inflation, and shifting insurance structures—suggest that many will continue to feel the strain.

Policymakers, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies will need to collaborate to address these concerns. Possible solutions include price‑control mechanisms for drugs, transparent billing practices, and the expansion of value‑based care models that tie payment to outcomes rather than service volume.

As the nation grapples with these challenges, the poll’s findings serve as a call to action: if the majority of Americans are already worried about the future of their health‑care finances, the imperative to act has never been greater.