Plurality Of Americans Think Sky High Premium Costs Is US Healthcare System’s Biggest Problem, Poll Shows

August 14, 2026 11:00 AM ET Many Americans think unaffordable health insurance premium costs are currently the U.S. healthcare system’s biggest problem, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey released Thursday.The survey suggests that 42% of respondents think the top healthcare issue that needs to be “solved or meaningfully improved” is the high cost of premiums for health insurance, while 36% said the costs associated with medical care or filling prescriptions. Meanwhile, 15% said the most pressing issue is getting approval for medical care or prescription medications from insurers, compared to 7% who said finding a doctor or getting an appointment with a healthcare provider. (RELATED: Nearly One-In-Six Americans Have Acted On AI Medical Advice Without Speaking To Human, Poll Shows)Among