228590 Access and Barriers to Health Care: Findings from Arizona

Monday, November 8, 2010

Kimberly VanPelt, MPA , St. Luke's Health Initiatives, Phoenix, AZ
Access to care is a growing concern. More than 46 million Americans lack health coverage. Many more are underinsured, or lack access to care due to barriers such as geography, provider shortages, or cultural barriers.

This session would discuss evidence on why people are not able to access health coverage or health care by examining results from the Arizona Health Survey, a statewide survey of over 10,000 adults and young children that will be fielded in spring 2010.

Barriers to health coverage would be explored in some depth. Research on the effect of premium increases and enrollment caps on Arizona's CHIP program would be presented. Also, results from focus groups where health coverage barriers among consumers were explored would be shared.

The session would share a number of potential policy solutions for optimizing access to coverage and health care. Both national and Arizona- specific ideas would be addressed, including telemedicine, efforts to expand linguistic and cultural access, and policy changes related to underinsurance and continuity of coverage. Innovative projects that are occurring in Arizona to address barriers and optimize access to health coverage and/or health care would be shared, including community application assistance efforts to maximize enrollment in public health coverage.

Learning Areas:
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the factors affecting access to health care and their relative importance. 2. Describe barriers to health coverage and the effect of such barriers. 3. Articulate public policy solutions for optimizing access to coverage and health care.

Keywords: Access, Medicaid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I currently serve as Associate Director of St. Luke's Health Initiatives. In my job, I oversee a statewide health survey of over 10,000 adults and children. I also conduct and oversee public policy research on a variety of issues, including access to care.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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