American Association of Nurse Practitioners®
The Mellman Group, Omnibus Survey, July 2024
This analysis represents the findings of a national survey of 1,161 registered voters. Interviews were conducted online July 24-28, 2024, using a registration-based panel. The margin of error is +/-2.9% overall at a 95% level of confidence and higher for subgroups.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioner’s State of Primary Care in America survey shows that nearly a third of Americans find it difficult to get the health care they need, and many are going without regular primary care, health care screenings, and vaccinations. An overwhelming majority support a proposal to improve health care access by making it easier to choose a nurse practitioner, or NP, for primary care.
Three in ten Americans (30%) have not received primary care in the last year. This figure is even higher among younger, Black, Hispanic, and uninsured respondents.
Over a third (38%) did not receive immunizations, vaccinations or health care screenings in the last year, such as a physical, a pap smear, or a cancer screening. For those who did not get primary care, 72% went without health screenings or immunizations. Over a quarter of Americans (27%) are not up to date on their screenings and immunizations.
It is more difficult among Younger, Hispanic, Rural and Exchange Patients
How would you describe access to health care appointments in your area?
Nearly a third (31%) say health care access is difficult for them, including 11% who find it very difficult or end up not getting care at all. Difficulty in accessing health care is more severe among Hispanics (38% difficult), those living in rural areas (42%) and those covered through health exchanges (41%).
Nearly four in ten (39%) travelled over 10 miles for care in the last twelve months. Among those saying access is difficult, more than half (52%) travelled over 10 miles for care.
Many are opting for non-traditional, more convenient methods for care. While medical offices and clinics are still the most common settings for care, over three in ten (31%) received care online or at retail stores. One in five (20%) had a telehealth appointment in the last year; and 11% received convenient care at a pharmacy, big store, or other retailer.
After a short description1, 73% support a proposal to improve access by making it easier to choose NPs for primary care. Support is intense, with 48% supporting it strongly, while opposition is limited to 10%.
There is Broad Support Across Demographics, Including Party, Race and Area.
This large majority support extends across all major demographics, including partisanship, age, race, and urbanicity.
This support is up from 61% in 2021 and 67% in 2022. Those surveys used the exact same question-wording. The increase from 2022 is largest among Black, rural, and younger voters, where support increased by double digits.
1. As you may know, with more people coming into the health care system, some experts say that there will not be enough primary care providers to handle the increasing number of patients. Nurse practitioners are educated to provide primary care and manage chronic conditions. In order to meet the growing need for primary care services, some have proposed legislation that would make it easier for patients to choose a nurse practitioner as their health care provider. Do you favor or oppose this proposal? Do you feel that way strongly or not so strongly?
