MetroPlusHealth Survey Finds New Yorkers Face Hard Choices Between Health Care and Cost of Living
Jan 12, 2026
A recent MetroPlusHealth Care Crunch Index survey conducted by MetroPlusHealth, New York City’s high quality, affordable health plan, revealed that rising health care costs have forced many New Yorkers to make tough choices between their health and everyday expenses. The survey found that 42% of New Yorkers have significantly cut back on leisure or lifestyle spending due to rising health care costs, with approximately a third carrying medical debt. Nearly half of respondents (46%) said that they could not afford an unexpected $1,000 medical bill without going into debt. MetroPlusHealth offers dozens of affordable health plans and generous Over the Counter benefits designed to help New Yorkers experiencing financial hardship, including those who don’t qualify for Medicaid or employer-sponsored insurance. MetroPlusHealth’s robust network of primary care doctors and specialists provides members with quality health care at little to no cost. To learn more about becoming a member of MetroPlusHealth and open enrollment for 2026, please visit our website or call 866-496-6636.
“Too many New Yorkers are doing everything right and still struggling to afford the care they need,” said Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. “The Index puts real numbers behind what we hear every day in our communities — health care costs are stretching household budgets and forcing people to make difficult trade-offs. MetroPlusHealth exists to help close that gap by offering high-quality, low-cost coverage and the best Over the Counter and Rewards programs in the market.”
For members of the Essential Plan, MetroPlusHealth offers up to $448 a year in Over the Counter (OTC) benefits to help cover food, groceries, toilet rolls, toothbrushes, other personal care items, and over the counter items at more than 3,500 stores. Members can also participate in the Rewards Program, which promotes preventive care and healthier living. By completing activities such as annual checkups, flu shots, and screenings, eligible members can earn up to $275 a year, keeping them engaged in their health and wellness journey.
Health Care Affordability Is Not the Same for All New Yorkers
The Care Crunch Index — which surveyed 1,010 adults in the five boroughs and nearby New York counties — was conducted in November 2025. The survey found that New Yorkers are worried about the cost of health care; 21%of respondents said that health care costs are difficult to afford. The survey also found that affordability varies across racial and ethnic groups.
When asked whether they could afford a sudden $1,000 medical bill without going into debt:
- 62% of White non-Hispanic respondents said “yes”.
- Only 32% of Black respondents and 29% of Hispanic respondents said the same.
Medical debt and lifestyle changes further illustrate the financial strain:
- 33% of respondents report carrying medical debt in their household.
- 42% said health care costs have forced them to significantly change their lifestyle or cut back on leisure spending.
Income also shaped how households think about prioritizing health care:
- Among households earning under $50,000 a year, 47% said health care costs take priority over non-essential spending.
- That rose to 60% for households earning $50,000 to $100,000, and 74% for households earning over $100,000.
“These numbers describe two hugely different sides of New York, with nearly half prioritizing health care costs over other spending. MetroPlusHealth exists to meet these needs by keeping care affordable for New Yorkers,” said Dr. Schwartz. “Our Essential Plan offers doctors’ visits, hospital care, mental health support, prescriptions, dental and vision care, at little to no cost.”
Confident About Insurance, Confused About Open Enrollment
The Care Crunch Index shows that while many New Yorkers said that they understand how health insurance works, far fewer were confident about when they can change their coverage:
- 79% of respondents said that they and their friends understand health insurance, and more than half reported discussing it with friends.
- Yet only 60% knew when open enrollment begins and ends.
Open enrollment knowledge was lowest among younger, lower income and less educated New Yorkers:
- Just 51% of Gen Z and 53% of Gen X respondents knew their open enrollment window, compared with 64% of Millennials and 69% of Baby Boomers.
- Only 48% of those in households earning under $50,000 knew their open enrollment timing, compared with 63% in households earning $50,000 to $100,000 and 72% in households above $100,000.
- Among respondents with a high school degree or less, only 48% knew their open enrollment dates, versus 53% with some college and 70% with a college degree.
“Our goal is to make health coverage simple and approachable,” said Dr. Schwartz. “Whether over the phone or in our community offices, at MetroPlusHealth we take a personalized approach in helping our members understand open enrollment and make confident decisions about the plan that works best for them.”
To learn more about becoming a member of MetroPlusHealth and open enrollment for 2026, please visit our website or call 866-496-6636.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Dominguez, MetroPlusHealth
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About MetroPlusHealth
MetroPlusHealth is a wholly owned subsidiary of NYC Health + Hospitals. For more than 40 years, MetroPlusHealth has provided access to affordable, quality health care to the people of New York City. It is a leader in addressing social determinants of health and the only New York State plan to dedicate resources specifically to ensuring members have access to food, housing, and transportation. MetroPlusHealth serves nearly 700,000 members across New York City and its network includes tens of thousands of providers and more than 40 hospitals and urgent care centers, including NYC Health + Hospitals, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, CityMD, Montefiore, LabCorp, Lenox Hill Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Hospital for Special Surgery, and more. For more information about MetroPlusHealth, please visit metroplus.org.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.