Poll Reveals Major Concerns Over US Healthcare System and Affordability
A recent poll by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America reveals that 23% of Americans consider the US healthcare system to be in a state of crisis, while 47% say it has major problems.
Cost emerges as the most urgent health problem for 29% of respondents, with experts linking these cost concerns to perceptions of a system in crisis. Key issues cited include delays in insurance coverage for vital procedures, rising drug prices, and criticism of health leadership under the current administration, where Health Secretary RFK Jr. faces calls to resign.
Affordability is driven largely by inflation and an aging population, with the majority of healthcare spending directed toward individuals aged 55 and older. Affordability varies regionally; nationwide, one in five adults cannot afford a prescription. This gap is notably higher in Mississippi—three times that of Iowa—and around 30% of Americans report that a family member skipped medical treatment due to cost, with nearly half in Mississippi.
Mental health concerns are closely linked to affordability issues. Adults experiencing 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month are more likely to be unable to afford doctor visits. Mental health care often entails out-of-pocket costs as it is treated as an insurance carve-out. Though the Affordable Care Act requires coverage of preventive care, mental health services do not receive the same mandated treatment. Experts suggest that integrating mental health into primary care could reduce overall costs.
In response, Northwestern University psychiatry professor Dr. Lisa Rosenthal and the West Health Accelerator are testing mental health condition screening in primary care settings, similar to routine checks for blood pressure and cholesterol.
