What Americans sacrifice due to high health costs

A new West Health-Gallup survey found that tens of millions of Americans have delayed major life decisions, including surgeries, vacation plans, and career moves, due to the cost of healthcare. The survey of nearly 20,000 adults revealed that medical cost concerns led people to delay events such as having or adopting a child, retirement, and going back to school. Approximately one in three respondents reported making a financial trade-off, like taking out a loan, in the last 12 months to pay for healthcare or medicine. West Health-Gallup estimated that almost 70 million Americans delayed medical treatment, and as many as 37 million people postponed buying a home, 46 million delayed changing jobs, and 40 million scrapped plans for additional education or job training due to healthcare costs. The survey indicates that if current trends persist, care will become less affordable without significant policy changes.