Half of Insured People Report Difficulty Affording Healthcare

Private and government spending on health care amounted to $2.8 trillion in 2012. Ten years later, it was $4.5 trillion - a 61% increase.

Health care spending per person increased 21% from 2017 to 2021. Only 7% of this increase is attributable to higher utilization, while 14% is due to increased health care prices.

In 2013, the average individual employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) premium was $5,884, of which an employee paid $999 (17%). By 2023, this increased to $8,435 and $1,401 (17%), respectively, which is a 43% increase in total premium cost.

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Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs

For many years, KFF polling has found that the high cost of health care is a burden on U.S. families, and that health care costs factor into decisions about insurance coverage and care seeking.

2021 Health Care Cost and Utlization report

With new data from 2021 and by tracking spending over the 2017–2021 period, this report demonstrates how the health care system continued to evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic, including what has changed—and what has not.

2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey

This 25th KFF annual survey of employers provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage, including premiums, employee contributions, cost-sharing provisions, offer rates, wellness programs, and employer practices. The 2023 survey included 2,133 interviews with non-federal public and private firms.