Americans are buckling under medical bills. It could get worse.

Friday, November 28, 2025 -Medical debt continues to squeeze American households, with recent surveys showing that nearly one in five adults has outstanding medical bills they are struggling to pay. 

Rising healthcare costs, inflation, and gaps in insurance coverage are pushing families into financial distress, forcing many to skip essential care or ration prescriptions. Experts warn that without intervention, the burden could worsen dramatically in the coming years.

The strain is not limited to low-income families. Middle-class Americans are increasingly affected, as high deductibles and surprise medical costs pile up. Hospitals and providers are also reporting higher rates of unpaid bills, which could ripple through the healthcare system, driving costs even higher for everyone. 

Analysts say the current trajectory could further deepen financial inequality and exacerbate long-term health consequences for millions.

Policymakers and advocacy groups are sounding the alarm, urging urgent reforms on pricing transparency, insurance coverage, and debt relief programs. 

With healthcare costs projected to continue climbing, families are bracing for a potential crisis in medical debt. For Americans already struggling, the next few years could be financially and medically precarious unless decisive action is taken.