Impact of Healthcare Costs on LGBT Adults: Insights from KFF

KFF's policy research delivers valuable insights into diverse policy issues and public health programs. By conducting original surveys, the organization assesses American opinions and their experiences with the healthcare system. A central element of this work, KFF Health News, provides thorough journalism on health-related issues throughout the nation.

A recent analysis emphasizes that healthcare expenses significantly impact both LGBT and non-LGBT adults, playing a potentially pivotal role in the 2026 midterm elections. LGBT adults, already facing physical, mental health disparities, and lower incomes, encounter substantial challenges in affording essential expenses. According to KFF Health Tracking Polls, LGBT adults report more difficulty than non-LGBT adults in managing basic needs like healthcare.

The economic pressures experienced by LGBT adults are reflected across the general population. An overwhelming 83% of LGBT adults observed a rise in their cost of living in the previous year, with over half citing a significant increase. In comparison, 82% of non-LGBT adults reported heightened living costs, with a similar portion feeling the increase was substantial. Only a small fraction reported decreased living expenses, while about one in ten saw no change.

Healthcare costs emerge as a major concern, with both LGBT and non-LGBT adults worried about their ability to afford medical care for their families. For LGBT adults, this concern spans additional categories like food, housing, and utilities due to income inequalities. Although gas and transportation costs are also troubling, they are slightly less of a concern. Before recent economic developments, 67% of LGBT adults expressed anxiety about these expenses, higher than their non-LGBT peers.

Regarding prescription medications, nearly two-thirds of LGBT adults express anxiety over these costs, a concern shared, albeit to a lesser degree, by non-LGBT adults. LGBT adults, however, report a more intense concern level. Additionally, many LGBT adults frequently face challenges in managing healthcare-related expenses, with significant portions struggling to cover medical services and medications compared to their non-LGBT counterparts.