The vast majority of U.S. adults (82%) say they are satisfied with their health insurance, with satisfaction highest among those 65 and older and among Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. However, about 24% reported that an insurer delayed or denied care in the past two years, and younger adults, college graduates and independents showed higher dissatisfaction. Opinions on the Affordable Care Act are split — 46% want to keep it, 24% favor repeal — and respondents trust Democrats more (57%) than Republicans (43%) to handle rising health costs. The poll surveyed 20,252 adults from Nov. 20–Dec. 8 (±1.9 percentage points).
Poll: 82% Of Americans Satisfied With Health Insurance — But About 1 In 4 Report Denials Or Delays
Medications are stored on shelves at a pharmacy on May 12 in Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer / Getty Images file)
Most U.S. adults say they are satisfied with their health insurance, yet a substantial minority report problems obtaining care. A new NBC News Decision Desk Poll, powered by SurveyMonkey, finds broad overall satisfaction alongside notable reports of claim denials and delays.
High Overall Satisfaction — Especially Among Older Adults and Public Plan Enrollees
Overall, 82% of Americans said they are satisfied with their health coverage, including roughly one-third who described themselves as very satisfied. Satisfaction is highest among older adults: nine in 10 people aged 65 and older reported being satisfied, and 42% of that group said they were very satisfied.
Those enrolled in public programs reported particularly strong satisfaction — about nine in 10 Medicare or Medicaid enrollees said they were satisfied — compared with 77% satisfaction among people with private insurance plans.
Denials And Delays Remain A Major Concern
Despite high overall satisfaction, nearly one-quarter — 24% — of respondents said their insurer delayed or denied a service, treatment, or medication for them in the past two years. Women were more likely to report such experiences than men (27% vs. 21%). People with private plans were slightly more likely to report denials or delays (26%) than those with public coverage (23%).
Younger adults showed higher levels of dissatisfaction: just under a quarter of people under age 45 reported being dissatisfied with their coverage. The same approximate share of college graduates and political independents also reported dissatisfaction.
The issue of denials and delays has drawn national attention, including investigative reporting and a high-profile New York criminal case involving allegations connected to the health insurance industry.
Views On The Affordable Care Act
Respondents were divided over the Affordable Care Act: 46% said they would rather keep it, 24% favored repealing it, and 31% were unsure. Preference to keep the law was similar among people with private coverage (47%) and those with public coverage (46%).
Support for keeping the ACA was especially strong among Democrats (79%), Black Americans (61%), women under 30 (59%) and all adults under 30 (52%). In contrast, a majority of Republicans (56%) and those identifying with Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement (69%) said they prefer repeal. About four in 10 men aged 65 and older also favored repeal.
Trust And Political Responsibility On Health Costs
When asked which party they trust to handle rising health insurance costs, 57% of respondents said the Democratic Party and 43% said the Republican Party. Women trusted Democrats by a wide margin (64%–36%), while men were evenly split (50%–50%).
Methodology
The NBC News Decision Desk Poll, conducted in partnership with SurveyMonkey, surveyed 20,252 adults online from Nov. 20 to Dec. 8. The poll’s margin of error is ±1.9 percentage points. Percentages may not sum to 100 due to rounding.
Bottom line: Most Americans report being satisfied with their coverage, but persistent reports of denials and delays and notable generational and political divides underscore ongoing concerns about access and affordability.
