This study looked at how much cost affected whether or not people filled their prescriptions. The percentage of all Americans who did not fill a prescription in the previous 12 months because they could not afford it grew from 1999 to 2009 to 8% and then dropped to 5% by 2015. For seniors, however, the number peaked in 2004 at 5% and dropped to 4% after implementation of Medicare Part D in 2006. With implementation of Medicare Part D and the Affordable Care Act, the number of prescriptions unfilled because of cost has declined.
More people could afford their medications after the Affordable Care Act.
Image: A blister pack of purple oblong pills.