Summary

According to a survey of more than 1,200 Maine adults conducted from January 13 to February 9, 2026, many residents have had inconsistent experiences accessing and affording the health care system in the past year. Among those respondents:

• Over 2 in 3 (72%) experienced at least one health care affordability burden in the past year;
• Over 4 in 5 (82%) worry about affording health care in the future;
• 69% are not confident they have enough money to cover the cost of major unexpected illness or injury in their households;
• 64% are not confident they have enough health insurance coverage to cover the cost of a major unexpected illness or injury in their households;
• Respondents living in households that include a person with a physical or cognitive impairment ration medication due to cost more frequently than respondents living in households without a person with a physical or cognitive impairment (37% versus 26%); delay or go without care due to cost more frequently (74% versus 68%); and experience more cost burdens due to medical bills (52% versus 30%)

Variations in Health Care Affordability Between Households

Factors like household income and composition impact on how a person navigates the health care system. For example, Maine respondents in households earning less than $50,000 a year reported skipping a recommended medical test or treatment more frequently than wealthier households (see Table 1). For reference, the median household income in Maine in 2024 was $74,733.¹

Respondents that earn between $75,000 and $100,000 annually also more frequently reported experiencing a cost burden due to medical bills, like incurring medical debt, depleting savings, or sacrificing basic needs like food, heat, or housing compared to those earning $100,000 or more annually (49% versus 27%). Over half of respondents living in higher income households also faced affordability issues, indicating that these burdens affect all income groups. At least 81% of respondents across all income levels expressed concern about affording health care now or in the future.

Similar to income, household composition can also influence the types of challenges that people are exposed to when navigating the health care system. People with a physical or cognitive impairment, for instance, interact with the health care system more often than others, which frequently results in greater out-of-pocket costs.² Maine respondents with a physical or cognitive impairment, or who live with a person with a physical or cognitive impairment, reported experiencing an affordability burden or concern more frequently than other respondents (see Table 2).

Additionally, 14% of respondents with a physical or cognitive impairment, or who live with a person with a physical or cognitive impairment, reported that they or their household member delayed getting a medical assistive device such as a wheelchair, cane, walker, hearing aid, or prosthetic limb due to cost, compared to only 7% of respondents without a physical or cognitive impairment who may have required one of these tools for temporary support.³

Variations in Health Care Affordability Between Demographic Groups

Research has shown that demographic differences persist in self-reported health status, access and affordability.⁴ This survey also revealed variations in reported affordability burdens between demographic groups. For example, Maine respondents who indicated they’re educational attainment as “some college, training, or a certificate program” reported experiencing a health care affordability burden more frequently than other respondents (see Table 3).

Likewise, respondents of color reported higher rates of many affordability burdens compared to white alone, non-Hispanic respondents (see Table 4). A small share of respondents also reported unique challenges to care that were unique to their backgrounds. Fifty-seven (3% of) respondents reported not getting needed medical care because they couldn’t find a doctor of the same background as them and 66 (3% of) respondents reported not getting needed care because they couldn’t find a doctor who spoke their language.  

Differences in the frequency of reported health care affordability burdens and concerns by sex also emerged in the survey results (see Table 5). Women reported higher rates of experiencing at least one affordability burden in the past year (73% versus 71%); more frequently reported delaying or forgoing care due to cost; and reported experiencing a cost burden due to medical bills compared to male respondents (38% versus 35%), although a slightly higher percentage of male respondents reported rationing medications due to cost (33% versus 27%).

Respondents that identify as sexually diverse also experienced affordability burdens, with 32% reporting rationing medication due to cost compared to 29% of respondents that are not a part of a sexual minority group (see Table 6). Members of these communities experience higher rates of disability and encounter unique challenges accessing health care and medications.^5,6,7

Over four in every five (89% of) Maine respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the U.S. health care system needs to change. Interestingly, there is bipartisan support for government-led solutions for more information on the types of strategies Maine residents support, see: Maine Residents Struggle to Afford High Health Care Costs; Worry about Affording Health Care in the Future; Support Government Action across Party Lines, Healthcare Value Hub, Data Brief (February 2026).