How many Americans can't afford medication?

Asked by: Amira Hand  |  Last update: July 9, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (55 votes)

Poll: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans taking prescription drugs say it's difficult to afford their medicines, including larger shares among those with health issues, with low incomes and nearing Medicare age.

How many Americans can't afford medical care?

The proportion of Americans with difficulty affording health care varies by income and health insurance coverage. Overall, 16.9% of Americans report at least 1 financial barrier.

What happens if you can't afford medication in America?

Drug Assistance Program. Many pharmaceutical companies, state programs and nonprofits have drug assistance programs (PAPs) that offer free or low-cost medicines if you don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine. Programs and program benefits vary.

How many Americans Cannot pay their medical bills?

According to the CFPB, 100 million Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt. George told me that medical debt has had several devastating impacts on his life: Inability to borrow money for a mortgage or a car.

Are 70% of Americans on medication?

Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and more than half take two, researchers say. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and more than half take two, Mayo Clinic researchers say.

Study reveals many older Americans can't afford medications

32 related questions found

What percent of Americans can't afford their medication?

Insurance status

Nearly four in ten (37%) of those taking four or more prescription drugs say they have difficulty affording their prescriptions, compared with one in five (18%) adults who currently take three or fewer prescription medications.

What is the #1 most prescribed drug?

The most prescribed drug in America is atorvastatin. The most common brand name for atorvastatin is Lipitor. What is atorvastatin used for? Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, which in turn helps prevent heart disease and symptoms of heart disease such as heart attack and stroke.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

How many Americans live paycheck to paycheck?

By that measure, around 30% of American households are living paycheck to paycheck, according to Bank of America's internal data. Further, 26% of households spend 95% or more of their income on necessities, the bank reports.

Does Canada have free healthcare?

2, 3 These taxation-based, publicly funded, universal programmes cover core medical and hospital services for all eligible Canadians, and are free at the point of care (figure 1 ).

How much does the average American pay for medication?

Compared with peer nations, the United States has had the highest per capita prescription drug spending for more than a decade, reaching an average of $1,432 per American in 2021.

Does social security count as income for extra help?

We will count only part of the applicant's earnings toward the income limit if the applicant: Works; ▪ Receives Social Security benefits based on a disability or blindness; and ▪ Has work-related expenses that are not reimbursed.

How do people afford MS medication?

Most disease-modifying medications prescribed for MS have patient assistance programs to help with the cost of the medication for people who are underinsured. See a list of these programs to find the one that helps with your drug.

What country has the best healthcare?

According to the 2024 Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the best healthcare systems, though the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.

What are the three biggest issues in healthcare today?

Content Overview
  • Rising Costs of Healthcare Services. ...
  • Financial Challenges for Providers. ...
  • Shortage of Healthcare Professionals. ...
  • The Need for Improved Mental Health Systems. ...
  • Increased Demand for Personalized Care. ...
  • Big Data and Cybersecurity Issues. ...
  • Regulatory Changes Impacting Healthcare Providers.

What percentage of the world Cannot afford healthcare?

In 2021, about 4.5 billion people, more than half of the global population, were not fully covered by essential health services.

How many Americans have no savings?

Meanwhile, 27% of U.S. adults have no emergency savings at all, the highest percentage since 2020. Instead of savings, 43% of people would rely on credit cards, loans, or borrowing from others, with credit card usage climbing to 25%, up from 21% last year.

Do Germans live paycheck to paycheck?

The German Institute for Economic Research in Berlin reveals another alarming statistic: almost half of the population, or 40%, is living paycheck to paycheck. They have little to no financial cushion to fall back on in case of emergencies, let alone for long-term aspirations or retirement.

Do hospitals write off unpaid medical bills?

There is no one, clear cut answer to the question of whether hospitals write off unpaid medical bills. Some hospitals do this a lot, some do not do it at all, and there is a wide range of hospitals in between. Many factors go into how and if, a hospital writes off an individual's bill.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Is it illegal to not have healthcare in the US?

While the federal government no longer requires you to have health insurance, a handful of states have mandates on the books regarding coverage or are trying to pass laws to make health insurance mandatory. Washington, D.C., also requires residents to purchase health insurance.

What is the number 1 selling drug in America?

Ranked: America's Top-Selling Drugs in 2023

Right at the top, semaglutide, (available as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy) attracted nearly $40 billion in consumer spending in 2023. Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide is now the key active ingredient in weight loss drugs for those who can afford it.

What 3 prescription drugs are most commonly abused?

Opioids (such as OxyContin and Vicodin), central nervous system depressants (such as Xanax and Valium), and stimulants (such as Concerta and Adderall) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.

What is gabapentin used for?

Gabapentin is used to treat epilepsy. It's also taken for nerve pain, which can be caused by different conditions, including diabetes and shingles. Nerve pain can also happen after an injury. In epilepsy, it's thought that gabapentin stops seizures by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain.