WalletHub Study Ranks Worst States for Healthcare
WalletHub has published its annual study ranking states for healthcare, identifying the "5 worst states for healthcare" which received low scores in cost and access categories. The study evaluated states across "Cost," "Access," and "Outcomes."
Portland, OR, August 2, 2026 —
WalletHub, a personal finance website, has released its 2024 study identifying the five states with the poorest healthcare systems in the United States. The annual report, which assesses healthcare quality across the nation, highlighted states that scored particularly low in the categories of cost and access to care.
The study employed a comprehensive methodology, evaluating all 50 states and the District of Columbia across a range of metrics. These metrics were grouped into three main dimensions: “Cost,” “Access,” and “Outcomes.” Each state was scored based on numerous sub-factors within these categories, aiming to provide a detailed picture of healthcare affordability, availability, and effectiveness nationwide.
While the full list of the 50 states and the District of Columbia is available in the study, WalletHub specifically called out the five states that ranked lowest. These states were identified as having significant challenges in ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for their residents. The specific states named as the “5 worst states for healthcare” were not detailed in the summary provided, nor were the exact scores or specific reasons for their low rankings within the “Cost” and “Access” categories.
The “Cost” dimension of the study examined factors such as the average insurance premium, out-of-pocket medical costs, and hospital costs. The “Access” dimension focused on metrics like the ratio of physicians and dentists per capita, the percentage of the population with health insurance, and the availability of healthcare facilities. The “Outcomes” dimension considered indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and preventable disease rates.
The study’s findings aim to provide insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and consumers regarding the strengths and weaknesses of healthcare systems across different states. Further details on the methodology and the full ranking can be found on WalletHub’s official website. The specific identifying information for the five lowest-ranked states and their respective scores was not provided in the summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Claudia Dimuro on www.oregonlive.com, see more information here.
