Two-decade low satisfaction rating in US healthcare: Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Jan 17:39

The survey conducted across all US states shows that almost 76% of Americans are not satisfied with their healthcare system.

Photo illustrating the current state of the US expensive healthcare system (Bermix Studio)

A recent survey conducted by Gallup revealed that over 50% of Americans consider the US healthcare system underperforming, which represents a two-decade high according to the polled subject.

"For the first time in Gallup’s two-decade trend, less than half of Americans are complimentary about the quality of US healthcare, with 48% rating it 'excellent' or 'good.' The slight majority now rate healthcare quality as subpar, including 31% saying it is 'only fair' and 21% - a new high - calling it 'poor,'" Gallup's report said.

A random sample of 1,020 American adults across all US states and the Columbia District were polled over the phone from November 9 to December 2.

Satisfaction in healthcare quality dropped by two percentile points compared to 2021, significantly lower than the 62% approval rating in 2010.

According to the report, a main reason for the rating drop is that Republicans have shifted their positive outlook on the healthcare system after former US President Donald Trump left office.

"Currently, 56% of Republicans rate healthcare quality as excellent or good, whereas 69% felt this way in 2020 and 75% in 2019. Republicans’ views of healthcare quality also dropped in 2014 after implementation of the Affordable Care Act before rebounding under Trump," said the pollster.

"Meanwhile, Democrats’ positive ratings have been steady at a lower level (currently 44%)," it noted, adding that "middle-aged and younger adults are also less satisfied with the situation than before, according to the survey."

The poll revealed also that 76% of Americans are not satisfied with the healthcare system, while around one-third of Americans are satisfied with the national coverage of the healthcare system, 66% of which consider their healthcare coverage is good or excellent, and 24% said the total cost of the system is satisfactory.

Regarding the expense of their healthcare plan, 56% of Americans said they are satisfied, which, according to Gallup, is the lowest rate since 2016.

A poll conducted by the same consulting group and published last week revealed that 38% of Americans had to delay their medical treatment in the past year due to the high cost.

"The percentage of Americans reporting they or a family member postponed medical treatment in 2022 due to cost rose 12 points in one year, to 38%, the highest in Gallup’s 22-year trend," the pollster said.

"In all, 27% said the treatment was for a 'very' or 'somewhat' serious condition or illness, while 11% said it was 'not very' or 'not at all' serious," the poll added.