While many people are confused about who the uninsured are, most Americans recognize at least some of the problems the uninsured face in getting care. Majorities know that the uninsured are more likely than those with insurance to put off seeking medical care (73%) and less likely to have a regular source of care (58%). Half (50%) realize that the uninsured are more likely than the insured to have hospital or emergency room visits that could have been avoided.

On the other hand, more than half (55%) think that most people without health insurance are able to get medical treatment they need, and over four in ten mistakenly say the uninsured are either as likely (21%) or less likely (22%) than those with insurance to have avoidable hospital and ER visits.