Healthcare access insights from PAN’s Center for Patient Research in 2025: Part I

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, PAN’s Center for Patient Research has released a series of reports that give voice to patient challenges with healthcare access and affordability—and present an opportunity for policy decisions that support patients first.

In just three short months, the PAN Foundation’s Center for Patient Research has released polling related to what policymakers should prioritize in 2025, what people consider when deciding to participate in clinical trials, the impact of the new Medicare Part D cap, and the widespread effects of medical debt.

We also released two major research initiatives:

• Our 2025 State of Patient Access Report
• The second part of a two-part research project examining awareness and understanding of new Medicare reforms. 

These insights can help further inform healthcare policy decisions and educational opportunities. As we look ahead to the second quarter of 2025, our Center for Patient Research will be hard at work bringing you even more patient insights on key healthcare topics. At the PAN Foundation, we remain committed to amplifying the voice and experience of patients to bring about lasting, meaningful change that enhances healthcare access and affordability for all.

Explore all of our first-quarter polling and research below.   

Patient research insights thus far in 2025

Insured adults want policy action on healthcare coverage and costs

PAN’s Center for Patient Research conducted a national poll highlighting the need for policymakers to improve healthcare coverage and affordability in 2025. Specifically, patients are asking lawmakers to focus on dental vision, and hearing coverage, as well as limiting out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions and medical care.

• More than one-third of adults with health insurance think that in 2025, policymakers should prioritize addressing coverage of dental, vision, and hearing services (39 percent), out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications (38 percent), and placing a cap on what people spend out-of-pocket cost for both prescription medications and medical care (37 percent each).
• Top factors insured adults are most concerned will impact their access to care in 2025 include: the cost of dental, vision, and hearing services (28 percent), out-of-pocket prescription expenses (23 percent), and unexpected medical bills (22 percent).
• More than half of insured adults (54 percent) reported experiencing stress due to healthcare-related financial obligations in 2024.

Top priorities for people considering clinical trials

In February, PAN’s Center for Patient Research released findings that safety and financial compensation are the top priorities for people considering clinical trials.

• Safety is by far the most important aspect when considering a clinical trial with 57 percent ranking it as most important, followed by financial compensation, with 11 percent ranking it as most important.
• Black and Hispanic adults are more likely to prioritize access to potential treatments (23 percent each, compared to 16 percent of white adults) and access to childcare (18 percent and 15 percent, compared to 4 percent of white adults).

Most people enrolled in Medicare Part D see new $2,000 cap as a helpful change

In February, PAN’s Center for Patient Research released findings around public perception of the new $2,000 cap on prescription costs for people with Medicare Part D.

• Most (65 percent) feel the new $2,000 cap on prescription costs will be helpful to them this year.
• Nearly two in five (35 percent) say the $2,000 cap eases their mind in case they are prescribed new medications or are diagnosed with a new condition in 2025.
• Nearly one in four (23 percent) feel the $2,000 cap will reduce the amount of money they spend on prescriptions in 2025.

The widespread impact of medical debt

In February, PAN’s Center for Patient Research also released national poll findings that found one in three adults (31 percent) with a chronic condition has medical debt.

• Among those with medical debt, half (50 percent) have at least $1,000 in debt, with an average of $3,480 in debt.
• Most respondents (59 percent) feel a rule removing disclosure of medical debt from credit reports would somewhat or significantly improve their financial situation.
• Costs contributing to medical debt span several areas among respondents, most commonly emergency care (39 percent) and hospital stays (36 percent).

2025 State of Patient Access Report

In February, PAN’s Center for Patient Research released its flagship 2025 State of Patient Access Report, which once again reveals that adults with chronic conditions across demographics face deep challenges accessing and affording needed healthcare and treatment.

• The state of healthcare access among patients with a chronic health condition received an overall score of C (75.2). 
• When compared to the scorecard ratings from the 2024 report, this year’s survey indicates that not much has changed in terms of patient access. 
• The ability to Access Treatment through Health Plans earned a “D-” across all patients, once again coming in with the lowest overall grade across the five categories. 
• Overall, more than one in five (22%) patients who take at least one prescription medication said it was difficult to pay for prescriptions in the past year, and 23% of patients who had medication costs said that prescriptions were not affordable. 

The need for more education on Medicare reforms

In March, PAN’s Center for Patient Research released findings from a national poll exploring the awareness and knowledge levels among Medicare recipients following implementation of the new Medicare Part D cap and Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This poll measured awareness before (wave 1) and after (wave 2) the reforms went into effect in 2025.

• Wave 2 of the polling finds that awareness of both reforms has increased by 27 percentage points since wave 1 last year, with 40 percent of respondents saying they are aware of the reforms.
• Among those who are aware of the reforms, the level of familiarity remains low with just 11 percent reporting being extremely or very aware.
• Nearly seven in ten beneficiaries (66 percent) are interested in learning more about the reforms.

---

About PAN’s Center for Patient Research 

The PAN Foundation’s Center for Patient Research provides insights into the diverse needs of patients as they navigate the challenges of accessing affordable, equitable healthcare. 

Through rigorous methodologies, we aim to understand the challenges faced by patients, translate these findings into actionable knowledge for healthcare stakeholders and policymakers, and help inform policies and educational opportunities leading to accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all.