Healthcare affordability remains a major challenge across the United States, according to Visual Capitalist’s analysis of 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report ranked states by the percentage of adults who skipped medical care because of cost, revealing clear regional disparities in access.
Texas topped the list, with 18 percent of adults reporting that they avoided care due to financial constraints, the highest rate in the country. Mississippi and Louisiana followed closely, reflecting a broader trend among southern states where household incomes tend to be lower and healthcare costs consume a larger share of budgets.
At the other end of the spectrum, Massachusetts and Hawaii reported the lowest rates of residents skipping medical visits, around 7 percent, supported by stronger insurance coverage and state policies that promote healthcare accessibility.
The findings highlight the ongoing divide in healthcare affordability between regions, with many Americans still struggling to pay for essential medical services despite economic growth and federal efforts to expand coverage. These disparities affect not only individual well-being but also workforce productivity and long-term public health outcomes.
As policymakers and employers consider ways to close the gap, the data underscores the need for sustainable solutions such as cost transparency, insurance reform, and expanded preventive care that make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Americans.