Millions of Americans are skipping meals, cutting back on utilities to pay health care bills

A nationwide survey reveals the sacrifices millions of Americans are making to afford their health care expenses.

Skipping meals. Going with out heat in winter. Driving less.

Roughly one-third of those participating in a West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America survey said they’ve cut back on everyday living expenses to have enough money to pay their health care bills. The survey, which included nearly 20,000 adults, was conducted from June through August. The results were reported by CNN Health and other national media outlets.

Though the results may not be surprising to many, they come at a time when households are struggling with an affordability crisis and during a time when health care spending continues to rise.

“It’s not just that health care is expensive. It’s that we use more and more health care as Americans,” Tim Lash, president of the non-profit West Health, told CNN.

The survey found that lower income Americans are struggling but even middle-class and upper-middle-class Americans are making difficult decisions due to high health care costs. Last fall a West Health-Gallup Center survey found about a quarter of respondents said they delayed surgical or medical treatment, due to costs. The same survey found 14% held off buying a new home and about 10% put off retirement due to health care cost concerns.

What about you? Have you made difficult tradeoffs in your household budget to pay for health care? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.