Health care costs continue to weigh heavily on American workers and their families, with recent surveys highlighting rising premiums, higher deductibles, and an increasing number of uninsured individuals. As the midterm elections approach, health care remains a top financial concern for many Americans.
According to recent data from a nonprofit health research organization, roughly 157 million Americans receive health insurance through their employers, but the cost of coverage is growing rapidly. In 2026, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family plans reached $28,303, with employees contributing an average of $7,471—an increase of around 9 percent from the previous year. Workers at smaller companies, defined as those with fewer than 200 employees, face even higher costs, paying on average $9,687 per year. Additionally, deductibles have risen substantially, averaging close to $2,000 annually, with over a third of workers at small businesses facing deductibles of $3,000 or more.
Employers attribute rising costs to expensive hospital care, new cancer therapies, and expanded coverage of drugs for conditions such as obesity and diabetes. To manage expenses, many have shifted a larger share of health care costs onto employees and introduced measures such as requiring prior authorization for costly treatments and limiting provider networks. This has led to growing financial strain for workers, with many reporting delayed or skipped medical care due to the expense.
A separate survey by a nonprofit health policy foundation shows a notable increase in the uninsured rate among working-age adults, rising to 11.2 percent in 2026 from 8.9 percent in 2024. The study, conducted between May and July, suggests that changes to government programs, including rollbacks in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), have contributed to this increase. The number of uninsured adults and children nationwide is estimated to have climbed to around 30 million after reaching a low of about 25 million three years ago.
The decline in coverage is partially attributed to the expiration of pandemic-era subsidies for ACA plans, which made insurance less affordable for many. Medicaid enrollment among working-age adults has also fallen from 15.5 percent to 13 percent over the past four years. As a result, an increasing share of people report financial insecurity related to medical expenses; about half say they have delayed or avoided care due to costs. Furthermore, approximately one-third of adults with insurance report carrying medical debt.
Public opinion reflects widespread concern over these trends, with many Americans blaming hospitals, drug manufacturers, and insurers for high prices, while also expressing frustration with Congress for not taking stronger action. Most respondents believe the federal government has a responsibility to ensure access to coverage, a view more commonly held among Democrats and independents than Republicans.
Experts emphasize that while employers and insurers often cite factors driving up health care costs, there has been little significant progress in addressing the underlying issues that contribute to rising premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. As medical bills and unpaid debt continue to mount, health care remains a critical and contentious issue for many Americans ahead of the upcoming elections.