This study utilized the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to answer the question of which patients are more satisfied with their health care, publicly or privately insured? The survey population (N = 42,044) was split into two groups: under 65 years of age and 65 years of age and older, to statistically analyze the data. The under 65 years of age group was split further into to their respect insurance categories and an independent t-test was conducted. For the 65 years and older population an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using patient satisfaction scores as the dependent variable and type of insurance as the independent variable.

The results showed that for the less than 65 years of age population patients with public insurance are more satisfied with their health care than those with private insurance. The 65 years and older population showed the opposite; patients with private insurance are more satisfied with their health care than those with public insurance. The hypothesis of the study was only supported by the 65 years and older population. Implications of findings and future research are discussed.