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A Note on How the War in Iran May Affect Health Care in the Midterms

In a new column, Dr. Drew Altman, KFF’s President and CEO, discusses the impact of the war in Iran and rising gas prices on voter concerns about health care costs. He writes: “Recently, we saw health care costs rise to the top of the public’s list of economic worries, ahead of food, housing, utility costs and the cost of gas….Expect gas prices to rise and health care costs to fall on the list of affordability worries while the war in Iran lasts, but then to return to the top or near the top when President Trump decides to declare the major hostilities over...health care costs have staying power as one of the top voter concerns.”

Affordable care act

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Cost Concerns and Coverage Changes: A Follow-Up Survey of ACA Marketplace Enrollees

This KFF survey is a follow-up survey of adults who had ACA Marketplace insurance in 2025. The survey examines the cost concerns and coverage changes of Marketplace enrollees following the end of the enhanced premium tax credits and finds that half of returning enrollees say their health care costs are “a lot higher” and most expect to cut back on basic household expenses to afford coverage.

Health System Tracker

In 2024, life expectancy in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 79 years but remained years behind the average in comparable countries

How Does U.S. Life Expectancy Compare to Other Countries? The life expectancy gap between the U.S. and peer countries decreased from 4.1 years in 2023 to 3.7 years in 2024 as U.S. mortality dropped.

How Does Cost Affect Access to Health Care? In 2024, about 1 in 6 adults reported delaying or not getting healthcare due to cost, including medical or mental health care.

How Does Health Spending in the U.S. Compare to Other Countries? While the U.S. still spends the most in total dollars, eight OECD nations had a higher percentage increase in per-person health spending in 2024.

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National Health Spending Explorer: Get up-to-date information on U.S. health spending by federal and local governments, private companies, and individuals.

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  • Summary and Chartpack: Health Care in America 2006 Survey

    Poll Finding

    These charts highlight data from the 2006 survey on Health Care in America conducted jointly by ABC News, the Kaiser Family Foundation and USA Today between Sept. 7 and 12, 2006. The survey examines Americans’ views and experiences related to health care costs and quality, as well as their attitudes toward possible policy solutions.

  • Why Did the Number of Uninsured Continue to Increase in 2005?

    Issue Brief

    This paper examines health coverage trends in 2005 and places them in the context of trends occurring since 2000. The paper concludes that despite the improving economy, the percentage of the population with employer-sponsored insurance continued to decline while the number of the uninsured continued to increase. Issue Brief (.

  • Toplines: Health Care in America 2006 Survey

    Poll Finding

    These toplines provide the complete survey questions and findings from the 2006 survey on Health Care in America conducted jointly by ABC News, the Kaiser Family Foundation and USA Today between Sept. 7 and 12, 2006.

  • Changes in Employees’ Health Insurance Coverage, 2001-2005

    Issue Brief

    This paper examines the underlying reasons behind the decline in employer coverage among employees from 2001 to 2005. The paper finds that almost half of the decline in employer-sponsored coverage was due to a loss of employer sponsorship.

  • ABC News/Kaiser Family Foundation/USA Today Health Care in America 2006 Survey

    Poll Finding

    This poll examines Americans' views and experiences related to health care costs and quality, as well as their attitudes toward possible policy solutions. The results are featured in a series of reports on ABC News programs, ABCNews.com, and in USA Today during the week of Oct. 15, 2006.

  • Snapshots: Distribution of Out-of-Pocket Spending for Health Care Services

    Issue Brief

    How much people should pay out-of-pocket for health care is a much-debated issue in health policy. New health insurance products with higher out-of-pocket shares are becoming more evident in the private market, and some states are considering ways to increase enrollee financial responsibility in state Medicaid programs.