A KFF poll published on 29/1 revealed that 66% of Americans are concerned about affording medical services for themselves and their families. KFF, a California-based health policy research organization, also found that 56% of adults anticipate difficulty covering their family's healthcare costs in the next year.

Food costs ranked as the second-highest concern, with 24% of respondents "very worried" about affording them. Additionally, 23% expressed "very worried" sentiments regarding rent or mortgage payments.

Ashley Kirzinger, a KFF expert, noted that healthcare costs, once deemed secondary, have now become a primary concern for many Americans.

A nurse measures a patient's blood pressure at the East Arkansas Family Health Center, US in 2018. *Photo: Reuters*

A separate KFF survey from 10/2025 indicated that family health insurance costs for a worker have surged by 26% over the past 5 years, reaching about USD 27,000 annually. Businesses typically cover about 75% (nearly USD 20,000) of this expense, leaving employees responsible for the remaining USD 7,000.

Furthermore, employees now face higher out-of-pocket medical expenses before their insurance coverage begins.

Professor Ezekiel J. Emanuel of the University of Pennsylvania suggested that this forces Americans to think twice before calling an ambulance or visiting a doctor. He added that even insured individuals "have reason to be concerned".

The survey found that 67% believe Congress, currently under Republican control, made a mistake by refusing to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The poll results indicated a 13 percentage point higher voter confidence in the Democratic Party's approach to healthcare policy compared to the Republican Party. Nevertheless, at least 25% of respondents expressed a lack of trust in either party's ability to address the issue.

*Ngoc Anh (Washington Post)*