Health care costs are now Americans' top financial worry, KFF poll finds

Two-thirds of Americans told KFF they are very or somewhat worried about affording health care, and more than half reported their health care costs rose in the past year.

A KFF survey reports that paying for health care has become the top financial worry for Americans after Congress allowed enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire last year. That lapse contributed to premium increases for millions and helped push health care costs higher. The poll found two-thirds of adults are very or somewhat worried about affording health care, and one-third said they are very worried. KFF surveyed more than 1,400 U.S. adults between Jan. 13 and Jan. 20. What the poll shows: - Two-thirds of Americans said they were very or somewhat worried about affording health care, with about one-third reporting they were very worried. - More than half of U.S. adults reported that their health care costs increased in the past year. - KFF surveyed more than 1,400 adults between Jan. 13 and Jan. 20. - A majority said they disapproved of Congress allowing the ACA's enhanced subsidies to expire. Summary: Rising health care costs and the end of enhanced ACA subsidies have moved health care to the top of household financial concerns and are influencing some people’s insurance choices. Undetermined at this time.