42% of Americans Delay Medical Care Due to Inflation, eHealth Survey Reveals
Event summary
- 42% of Americans skipped or delayed medical care in the past year due to inflation, per eHealth's Mid-Year Healthcare Pulse Survey 2026.
- 75% of Medicare beneficiaries worry the program could fail them, while 39% would use GLP-1 drugs if covered by their plan.
- 47% of Americans underestimate retirement healthcare costs, expecting to spend less than $75,000 when actual costs average $175,000.
The big picture
eHealth's survey underscores the financial strain inflation is placing on Americans' healthcare decisions, spanning both working-age adults and retirees. The data highlights systemic issues in retirement planning and Medicare satisfaction, pointing to broader challenges in affordability and access within the U.S. healthcare system.
What we're watching
- Inflation Impact
- How sustained inflation will affect healthcare access and retirement planning for Americans.
- Medicare Dissatisfaction
- Whether rising dissatisfaction with Medicare plans will drive beneficiaries to seek alternative coverage options.
- GLP-1 Drug Access
- The pace at which GLP-1 drugs become more widely available under Medicare, given beneficiary interest.