Survey: Half of U.S. Employees Struggle to Afford Basic Needs Due to Healthcare Costs

A new survey commissioned by the American Heart Association reveals that while 95% of U.S. employees are actively trying to improve their health, rising healthcare costs are forcing many to make difficult financial trade-offs. According to the survey conducted by The Harris Poll, half of respondents said healthcare costs have made it hard to afford basic necessities such as food, childcare, and rent. Additionally, 47% reported reducing or stopping retirement contributions to cover medical expenses and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The findings underscore a growing crisis in healthcare affordability, which the American Heart Association recently labeled a crisis in a Presidential Advisory. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized that no one should have to choose between groceries and medical care. “The American Heart Association is committed to addressing healthcare affordability in our efforts to build a world of longer, healthier lives,” Brown said. “Employers are important allies in this work – their influence is critical to prioritizing more affordable, accessible care for all.”

The survey highlights that healthcare costs are not the only barrier to employee well-being. Managing work-life balance (36%), finding time for health (30%), and caregiving responsibilities (23%) were also cited as major obstacles. The vast majority of employees (92%) agreed that their health and well-being should be supported in how they work daily, not just through policies, and 93% want company leaders to model good work-life balance.

According to a 2026 Business Group on Health survey, large employers anticipate a median 9% increase in healthcare costs this year before cost-reduction measures. In response, business leaders are focusing on comprehensive support and systems-level change for workforce well-being.

The American Heart Association’s Presidential Advisory outlines five core principles to guide policymakers toward a more affordable healthcare system: ensuring access to high-quality care without financial hardship; minimizing cost-sharing for high-value preventive services; promoting shared accountability across the healthcare ecosystem; investing in the healthcare workforce and data infrastructure; and strengthening public health to address inequities.

The survey, conducted February 26 – March 12, 2026, included 2,001 employees at companies with 25 or more workers who are enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans. The margin of error is ±2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more information, visit heart.org.

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