The 2021 Healthcare in America Report details the experiences of an American public that is increasingly burdened by high healthcare costs and growing more and more pessimistic about the future of the nation’s healthcare system.

During a once-in-a-century public health crisis, negativity and pessimism have skyrocketed, leaving Washington with no choice but to act.

Tim Lash

President of West Health

Executive Summary

At the close of 2021, Americans report a growing struggle to pay for healthcare, increasing concerns about inequities and access in the U.S. healthcare system, and little faith the federal government will enact reform to make things better anytime soon. Irrespective of race, gender, or income, Americans are more burdened by and worried about healthcare costs.

While these issues are not necessarily new, the degree to which they have been heightened or exacerbated by COVID-19 are at an all-time high since the beginning of the pandemic, according to measurements by West Health-Gallup. The 2021 Healthcare in America Report, drawn from a nationally representative sample of more than 6,600 U.S. adults, tracks changes in public attitudes throughout the year and details a relentless progression of affordability challenges across all race, gender, and income brackets.

The report, one of the largest surveys conducted during the pandemic on the public perceptions of the U.S. healthcare system, provides a comprehensive look at changing attitudes, behaviors, and trends in healthcare.