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US insurance coverage sinks as cost barriers rise, survey finds

A photo of an emergency department sign at a hospital in white letters on a red field. There is an arrow above the word "Emergency."
Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

A Commonwealth Fund survey finds rising uninsured rates and affordability challenges, broad public support for gov’t-backed coverage.

The share of working-age Americans lacking adequate health insurance increased in 2026 as coverage losses and rising healthcare costs left more people uninsured, underinsured, or unable to afford needed care.

According to the Commonwealth Fund, health insurance coverage in the United States has reached an “inflection point,” with gains made

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