Key Takeaways
- 82% of Americans are satisfied with their health insurance coverage, with older adults and those on Medicare and Medicaid reporting the highest satisfaction rates
- Nearly one-quarter of respondents have been denied coverage or faced a delay from their insurance in the last two years
- 46% of Americans want to keep the Affordable Care Act (ACA), while 24% want to repeal it
- 57% of respondents trust the Democratic Party to handle health insurance costs, versus 43% who trust the Republican Party
- Women and younger Americans are more likely to report dissatisfaction with their health insurance coverage and support for the ACA
Introduction to the Survey Findings
The latest NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey has revealed that a significant majority of U.S. adults are satisfied with their health insurance coverage. The survey, which polled 20,252 adults online from November 20 to December 8, found that 82% of Americans are satisfied with their health care coverage, including a third who reported being very satisfied. This high level of satisfaction is consistent with other surveys and underscores the complexities of the ongoing debate around health care and affordability in the United States.
Satisfaction with Health Insurance Coverage
The group that reported being the most satisfied with their health insurance coverage were older adults, with 9 in 10 Americans over 65 years old saying they were satisfied. This is likely due to the fact that many older adults are covered by Medicare, which is widely regarded as a reliable and comprehensive health insurance program. In fact, roughly 9 in 10 of those who have public health insurance coverage through Medicare or Medicaid reported being satisfied with their coverage, compared to 77% of those with private health care coverage. This suggests that public health insurance programs are generally more effective in meeting the needs of their beneficiaries.
Challenges in Receiving Care
Despite the high levels of satisfaction with health insurance coverage, the survey also revealed that many Americans face challenges in receiving care. Nearly one-quarter of respondents (24%) reported that their health insurance company has delayed or denied their health care service, treatment, or medication in the past two years. This issue is more prevalent among women, who were six points more likely than men to report that their coverage has been delayed or denied. Americans with private health care coverage were also slightly more likely to experience delays or denials than those with public health care coverage.
Opinions on the Affordable Care Act
The survey also asked respondents about their opinions on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The results showed that 46% of Americans want to keep the ACA, while 24% want to repeal it. Notably, those with private health care coverage were just as likely as those with public health care coverage to say they want to keep the ACA. Majorities of Democrats, Black Americans, women under 30 years old, and all adults under 30 also want to keep the ACA. On the other hand, a majority of Republicans and people who identify as members of Trump’s "Make America Great Again" movement said they want to repeal the ACA.
Trust in Parties to Handle Health Care Costs
With health insurance prices becoming a growing issue for Americans, the survey also asked respondents which party they trust to handle health care costs. The results showed that 57% of respondents trust the Democratic Party, versus 43% who trust the Republican Party. Women overall trust the Democratic Party more than the Republican Party to handle health care costs, whereas men were evenly split. This suggests that the Democratic Party may have an advantage in terms of public perception when it comes to handling health care costs.
Conclusion and Implications
The findings of the NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey provide valuable insights into the complex and nuanced debate around health care and affordability in the United States. While a significant majority of Americans are satisfied with their health insurance coverage, many face challenges in receiving care, and opinions on the ACA are sharply divided. As the country heads into the 2026 midterm elections, health insurance prices are likely to become an increasingly important issue, and the parties will need to convince voters that they have the best solutions to address these challenges.
