These are the best and worst states for healthcare in 2026, data suggests
Finding affordable healthcare is a challenge for millions of Americans who want their health care needs met without breaking the bank to do so.
Although the costs of healthcare vary nationwide, some areas may offer more affordable options than others and WalletHub explored this in a new report analyzing the best and worst states for healthcare in the U.S.
To gather their data, the personal finance website collected data by comparing 50 states and Washington, D.C. using 44 key metrics.
Best states for health care in 2026
Rankings of the best and worst states for healthcare using three main categories: “cost,” “access,” and “outcomes.” These categories were assessed using 44 metrics which were graded on a 100-point scale, with a perfect score representing the best healthcare at a reasonable cost.
Worst states for health care in 2026
See the full list of state rankings here.
Dig deeper:
New Hampshire
New Hampshire also has the 10th-most nurses per capita and fifth-most physician assistants per capita, and the most urgent care centers per capita certified by the Urgent Care Association of America, according to WalletHub’s report.
Minnesota
The state also has the eighth-best public hospital system in the U.S., and residents have the seventh-highest life expectancy. According to WalletHub, Minnesota has a low maternal mortality rate, and the lowest amount of time for the average person to receive medical attention at the emergency room.
Iowa is third on the list, with the eighth-lowest out-of-pocket medical spending in the U.S., at only 7.9% of their income.
In Iowa, approximately 93% of adults and 97% of children have health insurance, representing the eighth highest and seventh-highest percentages in the nation. Additionally, the state has the third-best hospital system in the U.S., and residents are among the least likely to skip doctor visits due to cost.
Original source: https://www.livenowfox.com/money
