Some U.S. healthcare workers are now dropping health insurance coverage as costs continue to skyrocket. <\/p>\n
Many health professionals are currently grappling with unaffordable medical<\/a> bills, according to multiple<\/a> recent reports<\/a>. More medical workers will likely forgo health insurance in the near future, potentially straining the nation\u2019s healthcare system, experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: US Consumers May Be Misled About How Much Insurers Actually Spend On Medical Care, Report Suggests)<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHealthcare workers are no different than the millions of Americans facing skyrocketing insurance premiums they cannot afford,\u201d a Coalition to Strengthen America\u2019s Healthcare spokesperson told the DCNF. \u201cThis has meant more people forgo purchasing insurance and put off care until they need an emergency department visit, which can lead to hospitals becoming overwhelmed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn increase in the number of independent and small practice providers foregoing health insurance has the potential to put more strain on the larger healthcare system if they forego preventive care, get sick and cannot afford treatment or need to step back from the workforce,\u201d the spokesperson continued. \u201cThis is especially true in rural communities, where hospitals and health systems are already stretched thin.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2025, family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance climbed to an average of $26,993, according<\/a> to estimates from KFF.<\/p>\n Healthcare costs are expected<\/a> to continue rising nationwide next year. Health benefit costs are projected to surge 8.2% in 2027, marking the biggest rise since 2003, according<\/a> to a survey from American consulting firm Mercer published Aug. 31.<\/p>\n Nearly half of insured adults (46%) say that lowering out-of-pocket costs is their most-wanted change to their health insurance. <\/p>\n Explore the findings in our latest poll: https:\/\/t.co\/F9OkkSOecx<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/n69DaOrlbg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 KFF (@KFF) April 29, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that even upper-middle-income people are deciding that the risk-to-benefit ratio of buying individual insurance plans doesn\u2019t favor them,\u201d President Emeritus and Founder of Valley Surgical Clinics Ltd. Jeff Singer told the DCNF. \u201cUnder the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the government requires individual insurance plans to cover a package of essential health benefits, even if consumers don\u2019t want or need all of them. It also mandates that insurers spend a set percentage of premium revenue on medical care and quality improvement rather than on administration, marketing and profits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYet premiums remain high enough that the federal government subsidizes coverage for many middle-income consumers through premium tax credits,\u201d Singer continued. \u201cA growing number of people \u2014 even health professionals \u2014 believe insurance isn\u2019t worth the expense.\u201d<\/p>\n Singer also noted there are presently \u201cfew alternatives\u201d available for healthcare professionals \u201cseeking less-comprehensive, lower-cost coverage for major medical expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, some small businesses in the U.S. have recently had to skip health insurance coverage due to affordability concerns, the DCNF previously reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n