A recent West Health-Gallup survey found that one-third of American adults — roughly 82 million people — are making quiet, daily tradeoffs in order to afford healthcare. One in ten are skipping meals or driving less to save on gas, while one in five are postponing larger ambitions, like changing jobs.
The numbers seem small, and the consequences seem subtle at first. But when those tradeoffs extend to major life milestones, like buying a home (14% report delaying), or expanding a family (6%), they take on a different weight. These are not traditionally considered healthcare outcomes, and yet they are increasingly shaped by healthcare costs.
