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Survey finds half of US employees struggle to cover basic expenses due to health care costs
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-survey-employees-struggle-basic-expenses.htmlby American Heart Association
U.S. employees are highly motivated to improve their health but are limited by finances, time and work structure, according to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association.
The rising cost of health care is a particularly pressing concern. Half (50%) of survey respondents agree that health care costs have made it difficult to afford day-to-day expenses, including food, child care and rent. Nearly as many (47%) say they have stopped or decreased their retirement contributions to afford health care costs and maintain a healthy lifestyle. For employees already stretched thin by limited wage growth and inflation, health care costs represent a larger percentage of take-home pay, leaving even less room to absorb price increases or unexpected expenses.
"No one should have to skip buying groceries or halt their retirement savings to cover medical expenses," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "The American Heart Association is committed to addressing health care affordability in our efforts to build a world of longer, healthier lives. Employers are important allies in this work--their influence is critical to prioritizing more affordable, accessible care for all."
According to a 2026 Business Group on Health survey, large employers anticipate a median 9% increase in health care costs this year before cost-reduction measures. In response, business leaders are increasingly focused not only on lowering costs but also on how they can strengthen comprehensive support and drive systems-level change for the well-being of the workforce.
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The rising cost of health care is a particularly pressing concern. Half (50%) of survey respondents agree that health care costs have made it difficult to afford day-to-day expenses, including food, child care and rent. Nearly as many (47%) say they have stopped or decreased their retirement contributions to afford health care costs and maintain a healthy lifestyle. For employees already stretched thin by limited wage growth and inflation, health care costs represent a larger percentage of take-home pay, leaving even less room to absorb price increases or unexpected expenses.
"No one should have to skip buying groceries or halt their retirement savings to cover medical expenses," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "The American Heart Association is committed to addressing health care affordability in our efforts to build a world of longer, healthier lives. Employers are important allies in this work--their influence is critical to prioritizing more affordable, accessible care for all."
According to a 2026 Business Group on Health survey, large employers anticipate a median 9% increase in health care costs this year before cost-reduction measures. In response, business leaders are increasingly focused not only on lowering costs but also on how they can strengthen comprehensive support and drive systems-level change for the well-being of the workforce.
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