By Islam El-Sakka
As Americans prepare to vote in Tuesday's midterm elections, rising healthcare costs rank among the top financial concerns, with a KFF poll showing a quarter of voters "very worried" and more than one-third "somewhat worried" about affording care. Average benchmark premiums for Affordable Care Act plans jumped from $497 per month in 2025 to $625 in 2026 after enhanced tax credits expired, and finalized silver premiums are projected to rise another 13% next year. Workers with employer-sponsored insurance face nearly 10% higher premiums, while average single-coverage deductibles have surged 43% since 2015 to $1,886. Prescription drug spending climbed 12.7% to $915 billion in 2025 and is on track to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AI tools linked to higher billing
Experts say the growing use of ambient AI scribes by hospitals and doctors' offices is leading to more aggressive medical coding. Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, described how an AI scribe recorded a brief question during her preventive visit, reclassifying it as a diagnostic visit and triggering a copay. Insurers including Blue Cross Blue Shield and analytics firm Trilliant Health suggest such tools create mismatches between care delivered and bills submitted. A 2024 Senate subcommittee report found denial rates for post-acute care rose significantly in Medicare Advantage plans after increased use of automated tools. UnitedHealthcare and CVS Health deny using AI to deny claims, stating their tools accelerate approvals and improve efficiency.
Tariffs raise supply costs
Tariffs implemented under President Donald Trump are increasing the cost of imported medical supplies. The FDA estimates 78% of active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers are located outside the U.S., and imports account for nearly half of medical devices. A Georgia Tech study found federal tariffs on imported medical supplies totaled $3.4 billion in the first half of 2025, with 56% passed on to medical facilities and potentially consumers. Zack Cooper, an associate professor at Yale University, said anything facing a tariff in the care production process becomes more expensive, ultimately raising care costs and insurance premiums. The White House counters that its most-favored-nation drug pricing agreements have saved Americans over $1 billion.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs drive spending
Surging use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss is another major cost driver. About 11% of U.S. adults now take GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, up from 3% in 2024. Spending on these drugs rose more than 500% between 2018 and 2023, from $13.7 billion to $71.7 billion. In 2025, GLP-1s accounted for roughly 14% of all U.S. prescription drug spending, with about $60 billion spent each on tirzepatide and semaglutide. Brand-name GLP-1 drugs typically cost over $1,000 per month. KFF found limited employer coverage for weight-loss GLP-1s, but most companies covering them reported a significant or moderate impact on drug spending. Generic versions are not expected until around 2030, meaning high prices will persist for years.
