Spatial Distribution of Access to Care for “Average” People

Background

Improving access to quality medical care is a compelling public health challenge. The proposed solutions cover a broad range of initiatives including maintenance of the status quo, prioritizing private marketplace options, utilizing emergency rooms for primary care, and comprehensive single payer government-sponsored universal health insurance.

There may soon be increased calls upon elected officials nationally to address this complex issue. Congressional Representatives represent geographically diverse constituencies, while they receive generous, comprehensive health benefit packages.

Objective

This paper will utilize spatial analysis with Geographic Information System (GIS) to survey estimated health care costs and access by an “average” person of “average” salary in each State who is otherwise similar in age and gender to their Congressional Representative. What health care choices and challenges would elected representatives face if they no longer had access to their government-funded benefits, but had to confront the same health care access resources as their average constituents?

Methods

This research was conducted utilizing spatial and conventional meta-analysis of public use data sets, economic, and demographic information. These analyses are completed using ESRI's ArcGIS and SPSS software.

Results

The cost of access to health insurance varies geographically throughput the Country. Health expenditures per capita also vary widely by State. Interesting discrepancies in cost and access by gender and geography are also noted.

Conclusions

Expanding access to health care for the largest number of Americans presents complex issues ofr all sectors, including elected officials. This paper attempts to utilize GIS to highlight some unique aspects of these challenges.