Kff

• Nearly two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults worry about affording health care costs, with 30% very worried, topping affordability concerns over gas prices. • Health care affordability remains the public's primary worry despite other economic pressures. • Poll highlights ongoing financial strain on households amid rising medical expenses.

• KFF published an update on March 24, 2026, to its tracker monitoring bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) under the US America First Global Health Strategy launched September 18, 2025. • These five-year plans (2026-2030) with partner countries aim to transition from US aid to domestic health spending, with implementation starting later in 2026. • The tracker, based on State Department releases and MOU documents, tracks signed agreements to build resilient health systems globally while affecting US policy.

• New national polls from KFF and West Health-Gallup show Americans cutting back on health care, including rationing medications, to afford rising costs affecting daily living and access. • Millions express worry about affording emergency services, routine visits, and prescription drugs, leading to dangerous health trade-offs. • US physicians report higher burnout, stress, and dissatisfaction than international peers, with female doctors at greater risk and shortages projected at 40,000 primary care doctors by 2036.