More than three-quarters of Americans believe healthcare providers and health insurance companies in the U.S. are more focused on making money than caring for people, according to Jarrard Inc.’s annual public perception survey, The State of Play: Healthcare in 2025.

The study of 1,000 consumers (margin of error +/- 3.2%) across the country indicates significant public discontent with the nation’s healthcare industry, with almost a third of respondents expressing frustration, skepticism or anger at the healthcare system. Fielded in January 2025, the survey came on the heels of the 2024 election and the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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Other key findings: 

  • More than half say the country’s healthcare industry needs an overhaul. 
  • Roughly 40% of the public is content with their personal insurance and their local hospital. 
  • Trust in healthcare workers is resilient and resounding, putting local organizations, nurses and doctors in prime position to fill the significant cracks in the system that have spread over the past five years.

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January’s survey showing declining faith in the mission of care stands in stark contrast to a 2021 survey in which the numbers were flipped – around three-quarters of people said hospitals prioritized patient care over making money.

However, there are opportunities for healthcare leaders revealed in the numbers.

Despite negative trust numbers and the public’s overall uncertainty with a new administration and economic concerns, Jarrard experts say healthcare leaders can take steps to control what can be controlled and to influence what can be changed.

“Every healthcare organization – from hospital systems to payers to health tech companies – can influence the situation by engaging with local stakeholders and building trust internally,” said Jarrard Partner Isaac Squyres, who captains research development for the firm.

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Meanwhile, Jarrard Inc. – a U.S. top 10 strategic communications and change management firm for healthcare – also announced today it is officially launching Jarrard Market Research & Insights (MRI), a dedicated team and expanded set of offerings for healthcare organizations.  

With insight gained from ongoing national surveys of consumers, physicians and nurses, the firm serves healthcare clients of all stripes, providing strategic guidance in the areas of issues and advocacy, change management and strategic positioning.

“Research is in our DNA at Jarrard Inc.,” said Jarrard Inc. President and Co-Founder Anne Hancock Toomey. “For two decades, we’ve leveraged qualitative and quantitative research to develop tailored solutions that deliver critical wins for our clients. The official launch of Jarrard MRI reflects an investment to meet our clients’ growing hunger to have their finger on the pulse of their constituencies as healthcare must evolve.”

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Jarrard MRI specializes in understanding the interplay of stakeholder perceptions, motivations and behaviors – the literal and people politics that permeate healthcare – and the moves and messaging that will drive impact. Jarrard MRI is underpinned in campaign thinking and approach and can examine stakeholders in a precise market/geography or across the nation.

“Data is a means, not an end,” Squyres said. “Our approach to research yields rich insight that allows us to develop strategy and story that truly moves the needle for our clients.”

Jarrard MRI conducts an array of quantitative and qualitative research for clients spanning the healthcare industry, including hospitals and health systems, tech and health services companies and associations.

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Source – prnewswire