Survey Signals Turning Point in Public Opinion on Health Insurance and Debt Reform
Americans across political party lines overwhelmingly support stronger protections against medical debt, signaling rare consensus in a politically polarized era, according to a survey conducted by Undue Medical Debt. That is the clear conclusion of a new national survey, which shows that voters not only believe the current insurance system is failing but also want state lawmakers to take action—now.
The survey, conducted by Undue Medical Debt in partnership with PerryUndem and NORC at the University of Chicago, polled 1319 US general election voters between Aug. 21 and Sept. 2, 2025. More than one-third of respondents (35%) reported owing medical or dental debt. A striking 84% said health insurance should protect people from debt, yet 74% said the existing system is “mostly failing” to do so. Across political affiliations, voters placed primary blame on insurance companies (63%), compared with pharmaceutical firms (12%), hospitals (9%), or doctors (2%). Trust levels mirrored these sentiments: 85% trusted doctors, 78% trusted hospitals, but only 34% trusted insurers and 32% trusted drug companies.
The frustrations were echoed in earlier focus groups, where participants repeatedly cited “corporate greed” as a driver of high prices. One respondent with Marketplace insurance summed it up: “Everybody’s frustrated with the system … everybody wants costs to be lower.”
Support for major reforms was similarly broad. More than three-quarters of voters, especially Democrats, said the US should move away from employer-tied insurance. 70% held unfavorable views of high-deductible health plans. When asked about specific state-level protections already adopted in some regions, respondents expressed overwhelming bipartisan approval:
- 94% supported limits on medical debt interest rates
- 90% backed restrictions preventing collection agencies from seizing property
- 89% supported requiring hospitals to use a single, standardized financial assistance application
- 81% favored banning medical debt from credit reports
- 89% endorsed mandatory financial assistance for patients earning under 200% of the poverty level
Allison Sesso, president and CEO of Undue Medical Debt, said the findings show an opportunity for lawmakers: “Medical debt is a common ground issue that voters, almost universally, want their elected leaders to address.”
The survey detailed the toll medical debt continues to take, including delayed or avoided care, financial trade-offs, and widespread stress and anxiety. While debt relief efforts and large-scale forgiveness campaigns continue, advocates argue that structural protections are essential to prevent medical debt from recurring.
Reference
Fierce Healthcare. Insurers most often blamed for medical debt, but providers trusted to protect patient interests: survey. Published October 27, 2025. Accessed November 14, 2025. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/insurers-most-often-blamed-medical-debt-providers-trusted-protect-patient-interests-survey
Undue Medical Debt. Voters Show Strong Bipartisan Support for Policies that Protect People from Medical Debt. Published October 2025. Accessed November 14, 2025. https://unduemedicaldebt.org/bipartisan-support-for-policies-that-protect-people-from-medical-debt/
