Health Costs
About Half Who Have Taken GLP-1 Drugs Say It Was Difficult to Afford Even with Insurance
A new KFF poll finds about one in eight adults (12%) say they have taken one of the the GLP-1 drugs that are used for weight loss and to treat diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. About half (54%) of those who report ever taking the drugs say it was difficult to afford them, including one in five (22%) who say it was “very difficult.”
Read the news release.
Ten Things to Know About Consolidation in Health Care Provider Markets
As policymakers and regulators pay more attention to consolidation in health care provider markets, this brief examines and summarizes the evidence about consolidation, including recent trends, the impact on prices and quality, and proposals to address consolidation and increase competition.
- Health Spending
Medical inflation vs. overall inflation
While medical care prices increased by 2.2% between March 2023 and March 2024, the prices of all goods and services increased by 3.5%. Prices for hospital and related services as well as nursing homes rose faster than other medical care prices.
- Health Spending
Medical Debt Among New Mothers
New mothers are twice as likely to have medical debt as young women who did not recently give birth. Among women ages 18-35, 14.3% of those who gave birth in the last year and a half have medical debt in excess of $250. - health spending
How Much Do We Spend on Health Care?
Data on U.S. health spending are available on the Health Spending Explorer, an interactive tool that allows users to explore trends in health spending by federal and local governments, insurers, nursing care, hospitals, and other service providers. - Access & Affordability
How does cost affect access to healthcare?
In 2022 , more than 1 in 4 adults (28%) reported delaying or not getting healthcare due to cost. Uninsured adults, adults in worse health, and Hispanic adults are much more likely than others to delay or forego healthcare due to cost.
Health Policy 101: Costs and Affordability
This Health Policy 101 chapter explores trends in health care costs in the U.S. and the factors that contribute to this spending. It also examines how health care spending varies and the impact on affordability and people’s overall financial vulnerability.
Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs
This data note reviews our recent polling data that finds that Americans struggle to afford many aspects of health care, including disproportionate shares of uninsured adults, Black and Hispanic adults and those with lower incomes.
National Health Spending Explorer
This interactive Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker tool allows users to examine five decades worth of data on health expenditures by federal and local governments, private insurers, and individuals.
Public Opinion on Prescription Drugs and Their Prices
This chart collection draws on recent KFF poll findings to provide an in-depth look at the public’s attitudes toward prescription drugs and their prices. Results include Americans’ opinions on drug affordability, pharmaceutical companies, and various potential measures that could lower prices.
