People generally think the health care system needs major changes. Beliefs about the system have been stable over time. Trend data also show Americans expressing sizable concern about other people's level of care, particularly the elderly and the poor.
People say they are fairly satisfied.
Trend data since at least the 1970s provide solid support of Americans' personal satisfaction with the treatment provided by doctors and hospitals and the quality and accessibility of this care. The Roper Organization reports a steady trend in satisfaction with the quality of medical care from 1973 to 1993. While people may be satisfied with their current health plans, they may worry about future costs and loss of coverage and their responses about the health care system in general may reflect these concerns. Given both the consistent support for changing the system and the high levels of concern about costs and coverage, it seems prudent to consider personal satisfaction only in relation to these other survey results. Many people support increasing federal spending for health care.