Millions of Americans skip meals, stretch medication to afford health care

CBS News
March 12, 2026
4 views
1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

A new study reveals millions of Americans, including high-income earners, skip meals or stretch medication due to healthcare costs.

How This Affects You

You may be among the millions of Americans, even with a six-figure income, making financial sacrifices like skipping meals or stretching medication to afford healthcare.

AI Summary

A new study found that Americans across income levels, including those earning six-figure salaries, are skipping meals and rationing medication to afford medical expenses. The research reveals that even high earners are making significant financial sacrifices to pay for healthcare costs.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

One-third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care - The Washington Post
Health

One-third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care - The Washington Post

The Washington PostMar 12
One-third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care
Health

One-third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care

About half of middle-income households said they have delayed a major life event because of medical costs, new Gallup polls found.

Washington PostMar 12
What Americans sacrifice due to high health costs
Health

What Americans sacrifice due to high health costs

<div>Data: West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare; Chart: Axios Visuals</div><p>Tens of millions of Americans have delayed surgeries, vacation plans, career moves and other big life decisions because of the <a href="https://www.axios.com/health/health-care-costs" target="_blank">cost of health care</a>, a new <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/702596/one-third-americans-cut-back-cover-healthcare-expenses.aspx" target="_blank">West Health-Gallup survey</a> found.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Affordability concerns are hanging over the midterm election cycle, with just over half of all Americans believing basic medical care is affordable and accessible. </p><hr><ul><li>As groceries, housing and utilities also become more costly, those pressures are forcing difficult tradeoffs in nearly every aspect of life — even for those who have insurance.</li></ul><p><strong>The survey of</strong> nearly 20,000 adults found that medical cost concerns didn't just force people to borro...

AxiosMar 12
1 in 3 say they cut back elsewhere to pay for health care: Survey
Health

1 in 3 say they cut back elsewhere to pay for health care: Survey

Roughly one-third of Americans cut back on at least one daily expense to afford health care last year, according to a new West Health/Gallup survey. The poll, released Wednesday, found that about 33 percent of the 19,535 respondents surveyed cut back on an expense to pay for health care. That is the equivalent of more…

The HillMar 12
‘Everything is going up’: Americans struggle with affordability despite Trump’s claims
Finance

‘Everything is going up’: Americans struggle with affordability despite Trump’s claims

<p>US workers are finding it difficult to afford basic necessities as the president claims ‘the economy is roaring back’</p><p>US workers are still struggling with the cost of living despite Donald Trump’s campaign promises to fix the US affordability crisis.</p><p>The Guardian spoke to workers as an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/13/trump-tariffs-poll">exclusive poll</a> showed cross-party concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of the US economy.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/14/americans-struggle-affordability-despite-trump-claims">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 14
These 2 bills would erase income taxes for millions of Americans
Politics

These 2 bills would erase income taxes for millions of Americans

Two Democratic lawmakers are proposing tax reforms that would eliminate federal income taxes for millions of Americans.

CBS NewsMar 13
Read Next
After firings, funding cuts, and a shooting, can a demoralized CDC workforce recover?
Health

After firings, funding cuts, and a shooting, can a demoralized CDC workforce recover?

It's been a year since mass firings began at the CDC, the federal public health agency. Then came a shooting, and the government shutdown. Atlanta is still feeling the economic and emotional effects.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources