Poll finds most Americans happy with health coverage, yet one in four claim denials or delays
WASHINGTON, DC: An overwhelming majority of Americans say they are satisfied with their health insurance coverage.
Overall, 82% of US adults reported being satisfied with their current coverage, including about one-third who said that they were “very satisfied,” according to a new NBC News 'Decision Desk Poll' powered by SurveyMonkey.
Satisfaction levels were highest among older Americans. Roughly 9 in 10 respondents aged 65 and older said that they were satisfied with their coverage, with 42% in that group describing themselves as very satisfied.
Public insurance earns stronger approval
Those enrolled in public health insurance programs expressed higher satisfaction than Americans with private plans.
About 9 in 10 respondents covered by Medicare or Medicaid said that they were satisfied, compared with 77% of those who relied on private insurance.
The findings are reportedly consistent with other national surveys and reflect the complexity of the health care system, where overall approval can coexist with persistent concerns about access and affordability.
Younger Americans report more dissatisfaction
Younger adults were more likely to express frustration with their health insurance. Just under a quarter of respondents under the age of 45 said that they were dissatisfied with their coverage.
A similar share of college graduates and political independents also reported dissatisfaction.
These divisions emerged as policymakers braced for a turbulent year in health care, with Medicaid facing potential cuts and Affordable Care Act premiums expected to rise unless Congress extends current subsidies.
One in four Americans face delays or denials
Despite high overall satisfaction, challenges in receiving care remain widespread.
About 24% of respondents said that their insurance company had delayed or denied coverage for a health care service, treatment or medication in the past two years.
Women were more likely than men to report such problems, by a margin of six percentage points. Americans with private insurance were also slightly more likely to experience delays or denials than those with public coverage.
The issue has gained national attention amid heightened scrutiny of insurance claim practices and high-profile legal cases involving the health insurance industry.
Mixed views on the Affordable Care Act
Public opinion on the Affordable Care Act remains divided. Forty-six percent of respondents said they would prefer to keep the law, while 24% favored repealing it. Another 31% said they were unsure.
Support for keeping the ACA was nearly identical among those with private insurance and those with public coverage. Majorities of Democrats, Black Americans, women under 30 and adults under 30 overall said they want the law to remain in place.
By contrast, majorities of Republicans and people who identify with President Donald Trump’s 'Make America Great Again' movement said they would prefer repeal. Four in 10 men age 65 and older also supported scrapping the law.
Healthcare costs loom over 2026 elections
With health insurance prices emerging as a growing concern ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, voters expressed greater trust in Democrats to handle health care costs.
Fifty-seven percent said that they trust the Democratic Party on the issue, compared with 43% who trust Republicans.
Women favored Democrats by a wide margin, while men were evenly split, highlighting how health care affordability remains both a personal concern and a defining political issue nationwide.
