The 2026 People’s Health Care Survey
The 2026 People’s Health Care Survey: The Health Care System Isn’t Working
The 2026 People’s Health Care Survey sends a clear message from voters. The health care system is not meeting the needs of people and their families.
While people differ on how much change they need, they agree that policymakers must act.
say health care will be one of the top three issues determining their vote.
support a stronger government role in making care affordable and available.
want major or radical change in the health care system.
feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or helpless about health care costs.
People want a system that is affordable, provides dependable coverage, is personalized to their needs, and is understandable
Across ages and political views, voters point to cost problems. They also cite coverage worries, system complexity, and low trust in health care institutions.
The survey shows that people disagree on how far-reaching reforms should be. Still, they strongly agree on what they want for health care’s future:
dependable coverage
People can rely on their health care coverage even as life changes or emergencies happen.
an understandable system
People can understand the health care system and it is easy to navigate.
Can Health Care Policy Balance Practical Reforms with Bold Change?
One of the clearest findings from the survey is that people are not in agreement on how much the system should change.
People Want Action,
Not Gridlock
48%
seek fundamental change.
52%
prefer targeted improvements.
Coverage Doesn’t Equal Satisfaction: Even People with Employer Coverage Want Major Change
- 51% of people with commercial insurance through employers want major change
- People with Medicare and Veterans benefits report higher satisfaction than those with commercial or marketplace coverage. This suggests reliability and ease of use may matter more than the coverage source itself.
This divide shows a shared tension: people want real improvements, but they also want confidence. Reforms should strengthen, not disrupt, the care and coverage they depend on.
For policymakers, the challenge is clear. They must deliver reforms that provide quick relief. They must also build a stronger, more reliable health care system.
Five Different Experiences. One Shared Health Care System.
Americans do not experience health care in the same way.
The survey identified five distinct groups of voters, each reflecting a different relationship with the health care system. Together, they illustrate why one-size-fits-all solutions often miss the mark.
Meet the Voters Behind the Numbers
Satisfied Supporters (24%)
Mostly Medicare-covered adults 65+.
Generally satisfied with coverage.
Prefer targeted improvements rather than major reform.
Distrustful Navigators (32%)
Financially stable but skeptical.
Low trust in institutions.
Want proof the system works for consumers.
Overwhelmed Strugglers (15%)
Highest burden of out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently delay care.
Most likely to want major change.
Hopeful Strivers (15%)
Younger, more diverse voters.
Highly engaged in health care issues.
Open to innovation and new solutions.
Disillusioned Skeptics (15%)
Lowest trust levels.
Most disconnected from the system.
Least likely to believe change will happen.
Why this matters: Policymakers, health care leaders, and advocates often discuss people as a single audience. The data tells a different story. People’s experiences differ by age, coverage, cost burden, and trust in the system. Every group still sees room for improvement.
Affordability Is Driving Frustration and Demand for Change
For many people, health care costs are the clearest example of a system that isn’t meeting their needs.
These pressures affect more than household finances. They shape voting choices, delay needed care, and affect trust in the groups that provide health care.
Key Findings
- 73% feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or helpless about health care costs.
- Many people report delaying care or making financial tradeoffs because of health expenses.
- One in three voters say they remain tied to a job because of their health insurance. For many, health coverage continues to shape career decisions, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility.
- Voters frequently point to insurers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies as contributors to rising costs.
Cost is still the clearest sign of a larger problem.
More people now question whether the system serves patients or industry interests.
What People Say Builds Trust in the Health Care System
The survey shows a clear theme: people want health care that feels fair, open, dependable, and patient-centered.
Top Drivers of Trust
Hospitals prioritizing patient outcomes over profits.
Insurers not delaying or denying needed care.
Transparent pricing before care.
Equal treatment for all patients.
Consistent coverage people can rely on.
Providers who listen, explain, and communicate clearly.
People are not simply asking for more health care. They are asking for a health care system that works with them, respects their needs, and delivers predictability when they need it most.
What The 2026 People’s Health Care Survey Means for Health Care Leaders
People’s experiences and priorities should shape the future of health care policy.
USofCare will use these findings to shape a vision for health care over the next five years. It should have affordable costs and dependable coverage. It should offer personalized care and a clear system for every person in America.
Some specific policies that get us closer to these goals are:
- Making hospital costs more affordable and limiting the corporatization of health care.
- Providing new low cost coverage options (like a public option) that also increase competition.
- Making enrolling in health coverage – including Medicaid, Medicare and ACA Marketplace – an easier process.
- Incorporating AI into the health care system in a way that ensures people’s perspectives are considered.
The 2026 People’s Health Care Survey offers more than a snapshot of voter sentiment.
It provides a roadmap for leaders seeking solutions that reflect the realities people face every day.
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