At a moment when there's a lot of political attention around affordability, rising health care costs are a growing concern for many Americans.

That's especially true for anyone worried about affording insurance premiums after an expansion of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expired.

But they're not the only ones struggling with this. Stephanie Syr tells us more.

A recent report from the West Health Gallup Center revealed that one-third of Americans

are making tough trade-offs to afford health care, skipping meals, driving less, and borrowing

more. The survey involved 20,000 adults. Many of those facing financial burdens don't have insurance,

and with the end of expanded subsidies for the Affordable Care Act for a lot of people last year,

that number is growing. We spoke to some Americans who have had Obamacare about what they're

dealing with now as they face higher premiums and less assistance.

Brian Lanter and I live in New York City. My name is Michelin Pierrette Berry. I live in Santa Monica, California. I believe my premium expired or my plan expired in December, December 15th or

something like that. But that was the date by which I had to renew and I didn't renew for

2026.

My previous plan was a silver and we're talking $236 a month and the same plan this year is 360 for one person.

It went from 390, which is what I was paying after the tax credit per month to, I think

it was 770 was the number of a month I was quoted.

So obviously I'd sleep better at night if I had insurance.

But I understand that I'm lucky, too. I'm a 54-year-old man. I don't smoke. I have a normal BMI. I have no existing

chronic health issues. So I can make this decision. And I recognize that most people are not in that

position. I'm a cancer survivor, so the ACA allowed me to have the best care when I was diagnosed

and the best follow-up care.

I don't really have to participate in it because I'm relatively healthy and I don't have any chronic health issues.

I take no prescriptions.

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