Examining LGBTQ+ Adults’ Experiences with Health Care Costs and Access Authors: Grace Sparks, Ashley Kirzinger, Shannon Schumacher, Lindsey Dawson, and Liz Hamel Published: Aug 27, 2026

https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/examining-lgbtq-adults-experiences-with-health-care-costs-and-access/?utm_campaign=KFF-Polling-Surveys&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8qZ1Lt4thqGz0NALnQAVecqXFZV5EkDXqyC7O7nmxf9qqlEX8TCdpN05-7UYdwYwSXjWFtDb3UdvuXMhzLocp1yV2VBg&_hsmi=435454057&utm_content=435454057&utm_source=hs_email Poll: LGBTQ+ Adults Are More Likely Than Other Adults to Face Challenges Accessing and Affording Health Care New KFF polling highlights the significant challenges that LGBTQ+ adults face in accessing and affording health care compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. The poll finds LGBTQ+ adults are more likely than others to postpone or skip needed care (58% vs. 38%), forgo prescription medications due to cost (22% vs. 12%), and struggle to pay medical bills (30% vs. 21%). Among LGBTQ+ adults, cost-related challenges are especially high for trans adults, those who are young, those with low incomes, and those who lack health insurance. LGBTQ+ adults are also more likely than others to face challenges with getting their health care covered by their insurance. For example, four in ten insured LGBTQ+ adults under age 65 say their insurance company delayed or denied coverage in the past two years—compared to a quarter of non-LGBTQ+ adults (26%). This includes six in ten (61%) trans adults. This survey was conducted May 4-26, 2026, online and by telephone among a nationally representative sample of 25,873 U.S. adults in English and in Spanish, including 2,640 LGBTQ+ adults. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 1 percentage point for the non-LGBTQ sample, 3 percentage points for LGBTQ+ adults. For results based on other subgroups, the margin of sampling error may be higher. Contact: Tammie Smith | 202-654-1410 | TammieS@kff.org