Imagine being handed a prescription that could save your life, only to realize you can’t afford it. That’s the harsh reality for nearly 29 million Americans today, according to a Gallup survey.
A recent poll by West Health and Gallup reveals that 11% of U.S. adults are now considered “cost desperate.” That means they’ve recently been unable to pay for needed healthcare or medications.
The crisis is worse for some. Hispanic adults are hit the hardest, with 18% unable to afford essential care. Black adults follow at 14%, and an alarming 25% of households making under $24,000 a year face the same struggle.
The consequences are devastating. Many people are skipping doses or rationing medication just to stretch out prescriptions. Others are forced to choose between buying medicine or paying rent.
This isn’t just a number. It’s a mirror of real-life suffering across the country. Prescription drug costs have soared 37% in the past decade, outpacing inflation and making essential treatments unattainable for millions.
While lawmakers are working on solutions, the question remains: how many more will be forced to gamble with their health before real change kicks in?
