The share of working-age U.S. adults without health insurance rose from 8.9 percent in 2024 to 11.2 percent in 2026, according to findings from the latest Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey conducted by SSRS.

Additionally, half of working-age adults went without needed care because of cost, and most Americans say the federal government has a responsibility to ensure health coverage for all.

Survey Methodology

The 2026 Biennial Health Insurance Survey was conducted by SSRS from May 7 through July 20, 2026. The survey consisted of telephone and online interviews in English and Spanish and was conducted among a random, nationally representative sample of 9,360 adults age 19 and older living in the continental United States. A combination of address-based, SSRS Opinion Panel, and prepaid cell samples was used to reach people. In all, 43 percent or 4,023 interviews were conducted online or on the phone via ABS, 49 percent or 4,591 interviews were conducted online via the SSRS Opinion Panel, and 8 percent or 746 interviews were conducted on prepaid cell phones.