Health care costs lead Americans to ration medicine and delay retirement.

About one-third of U.S. adults reported making financial trade-offs to afford medical care in the past year, and nearly one in ten said they postponed retirement because of health care costs.

New national surveys from West Health and Gallup report many Americans are making financial trade‑offs to afford health care. About one-third of adults said they rationed or skipped medications, borrowed money, or took other measures in the past year. A separate survey found nearly one in ten adults postponed retirement because of health care costs. Key findings: - About 1 in 3 U.S. adults reported making trade‑offs to afford health care in the past year, including rationing or skipping medications and borrowing money. - Nearly 1 in 10 adults said they postponed retirement because of health care costs; others reported delaying a job change, buying a home, or having a child. - The first survey ran June–August and included nearly 20,000 adults; the second ran October–December and included more than 5,600 adults. - West Health president Timothy Lash said most survey metrics have moved in a "negative direction" and that the issues cross geography and party lines. - The surveys were reported amid policy changes that affected premiums and coverage, including the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and adjustments to Medicaid funding. Summary: Officials said the survey results reflect growing financial strain tied to health care costs. Current status: many adults report rationing care or postponing major life decisions, and the trend has moved in a negative direction since tracking began in 2021. Undetermined at this time.