7 Out Of 10 Americans Say Health Care System Has Major Issues, Poll Shows

A combined 70% percent of Americans have a negative outlook on the nation’s health care system as Congress remains in deadlock over the issue, according to a new Gallup poll released Monday.

The survey’s participants had varying degrees of stress toward health care costs and access, with 23% claiming the system is in a “state of crisis” and 47% saying the system has “major problems” — adding to a total 70%. The heightened concerns come as lawmakers on Capitol Hill scramble to find a solution, with the boosted subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, set to expire on Dec. 31.

Twenty-nine percent of voters, one of the highest figures recorded since 1987, find the cost of health care to be the country’s most urgent health problem — ahead of health care access and obesity.

Eighty-one percent of Democrats and 64% of Republicans agreed the country’s health care system is in crisis or has “major problems,” according to the poll. Concerns increased 12% among Democrats this year, and 10% among Republicans during the same time.

If Congress does not act and the ACA health insurance subsidies expire, the average premium would more than double, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The House of Representatives will vote this week on their newly released