Americans give health care system a ‘C’ grade or lower

AUSTIN, Texas -- As the Trump administration reconsiders the role and scope of the federal government, many Americans are ready to rethink the way healthcare works in the United States, according to new research from eHealth, an online private health insurance marketplace.

"Our latest original research shows that more than seven in ten Americans (72%) give the US healthcare system a grade C or lower," said eHealth CEO Fran Soistman. "Within the past ten years, nearly half (46%) say they've had to choose between paying medical bills or paying for basic necessities. It's a sad commentary on the state of our healthcare system. In fact, a majority tell us that they are willing to reconsider key provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), if it makes their coverage more affordable."

Contrary to current ACA rules:

• 83% say they should be able to pick a health plan that excludes benefits they don't believe they'll use, if it will save them money
• 56% say that people who maintain an unhealthy lifestyle should pay more for their health insurance

Mr. Soistman continued: "Newly appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed barring pharmaceutical companies from directly marketing to consumers, and our research shows most Americans agree with him. Two thirds (66%) tell us they would support a ban on drug advertisements, including a majority of both Democrat and Republican voters."

For more findings, read the full report.

eHealth's new original research is based on a survey of more than 1,000 respondents drawn from the general US population. The survey was conducted in February of 2025. For more methodology information, please refer to the full report.