Maine Poll Shows Declining Favorability for Health Insurance Companies

Recent polling from the Maine People’s Resource Center reveals a significant decline in the public perception of health insurance companies among Maine residents.

Favorability ratings have dropped from 22% to 15% over the past year, while unfavorable views have risen to 67%, resulting in a net favorability score of -52, which is a 12-point decrease from the previous year. This decline in reputation spans across all political affiliations, with a majority of both Republicans and very conservative

Mainers holding negative views of health insurers. Additionally, the net negative perception is consistent across Maine's two congressional districts and among both genders. A notable generational disparity exists, with younger Mainers aged 18 to 34 expressing the most negative opinions, registering a net favorability of -63. Older residents, especially those 65 and older, maintain a relatively less negative stance. The polling coincides with ongoing national scrutiny of health insurance industry practices, including record-setting profits amidst rising premiums and increased instances of care denials facilitated by automated systems.

At the state level, Maine lawmakers are engaging in debates over potential regulatory measures aimed at addressing contentious practices such as mandatory pre-authorization for treatments and the use of artificial intelligence for claims denial. The survey underpinning these findings was conducted in May 2025 via phone and online, involving 754 Maine voters. This data highlights the growing disconnect between health insurance providers and the public, reflecting broader concerns around transparency, fairness, and regulatory oversight within the industry.

Industry professionals and policymakers should monitor these sentiment trends as they may influence legislative agendas and market dynamics in Maine and potentially other states facing similar challenges.