Biggest Hurdles to Affordable Healthcare Access

Despite increased coverage, many Americans still face significant challenges in affording healthcare due to rising costs, high out-of-pocket expenses, and restrictive plan designs.

The top 3

1. Rising Premiums and Deductibles: Cost Barriers: Health insurance premiums have seen substantial increases, with employer-sponsored family coverage averaging $26,993 in 2025 (up 6% from 2024), and ACA Marketplace premiums rising by an average of 26% in 2026.
2. High Out-of-Pocket Costs and Medical Debt: Out-of-pocket health spending in the U.S. reached $1,514 per person by 2023, with a small percentage of the population accounting for a significant share of total out-of-pocket expenditures, leading to financial hardship and medical debt for many.
3. Network Restrictions and Coverage Gaps: Even with health insurance, many individuals face challenges like narrow provider networks, complex referral processes, and prior authorization requirements, which can delay or prevent access to necessary medical care and contribute to underinsurance.

Sources

• ahajournals.org
• hsph.harvard.edu
• lowninstitute.org

Open the full topic