The cost of healthcare is the most urgent health problem facing the United States. That’s according to new research by West Health-Gallup (Lydia Saad and Megan Brenan, “Cost Leads Americans’ Top-of-Mind Healthcare Concerns,” December 15, 2025).
According to Gallup:
“Americans’ already elevated perception that the cost of healthcare is the ‘most urgent health problem’ facing the country rose further this year to 29%, up from 23% a year ago. The latest figure is the highest level recorded since 2004 and also one of the highest readings in the trend dating back to 1987. Cost now outpaces access to healthcare, at 17%, and obesity, at 8%, as what Americans consider to be the nation’s top health problem.”
The survey also revealed a growing sense of unease about the state of the US healthcare system generally. According to Gallup:
“Americans’ elevated concern about the nation’s healthcare costs combined with their lower evaluation of coverage may be contributing to a record-high 23% now saying the U.S. healthcare system is ‘in a state of crisis’ and another 47% saying the system has ‘major problems.” Fewer U.S. adults, 26%, describe the problems as ‘minor,’ and just 3% believe the healthcare system is free of problems.
“The current findings are a continuation of the pattern seen since 1994, whereby in most years, pluralities or majorities of Americans have said the nation’s healthcare system has major problems. However, the 23% describing the system as being in crisis is the highest in Gallup’s trend to date, by two points over 2009 and 2013 readings. Compared with last year, more say the system is in crisis (up seven points) and fewer say it has major problems (down seven points).”
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Page last updated December 31, 2025 by Doug McVay, Editor.