A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) "Data Note" examines data for KFF’s August tracking poll, finding that, though 73 percent of Americans with insurance rate their coverage as “excellent” or “good,” significant portions of respondents giving positive ratings report dissatisfaction with certain aspects of care and difficulties paying their medical bills.  The poll also found that younger Americans, poorer Americans, and those who report being in poor health are less satisfied with their health care coverage than their counterparts.

From the report:

This data note digs deeper into Americans’ reported satisfaction with their health insurance, examines Americans’ reported health care experiences and worries, and explores who is more and less likely to say they are satisfied with the cost and quality of their coverage. In many ways, the Kaiser Family Foundation’s August 2009 tracking poll supports conventional wisdom, finding that most Americans with insurance give their plan a favorable rating, and most are satisfied with various aspects of their coverage and care. But the survey evidence also suggests that positive ratings do not necessarily paint a complete picture. First, despite their reported satisfaction, significant minorities of insured Americans have trouble paying for care, put off care because they can’t afford it, and worry about the future of their coverage. Second, though most Americans say their insurance is “excellent” or “good” – significant portions of those who rate their insurance positively still say they face problems paying their medical bills or are dissatisfied with certain aspects of their health insurance coverage. And third, satisfaction with coverage is not uniform. Younger Americans, those with lower incomes and those who report being in poor personal health are significantly less likely to say they are satisfied with their insurance than their counterparts.  

Full report: KFF DataNote: Americans' Satisfaction with Insurance Coverage (PDF | 673.44 KB)

The Kaiser Family Foundation. (2009). Data Note: Americans' satisfaction with insurance coverage.