Helping 2010: The U.S. Congress Passed A Historic New Health

Helpin 2010 The Us Congress Passed A Historic New Health Care Pro

In 2010 the U.S. Congress passed a historic new health care program known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly nicknamed Obamacare. The program promised to cover millions of Americans who were currently uninsured with affordable health insurance. However, in 2018, under the administration of President Trump, many of the policies embedded in the ACA have been stripped away, and the number of people without health insurance is now expected to grow. Access to health care is a global social problem. Describe how race, ethnicity, social class, and gender affect access to health care in the United States.

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Access to health care in the United States is profoundly influenced by race, ethnicity, social class, and gender, creating significant disparities that impact health outcomes for different population groups. Understanding these factors is essential to addressing the systemic barriers that prevent equitable health care delivery and to formulating policies that promote social justice within the health sector.

Race and Ethnicity are major determinants of disparities in health care access. Racial and ethnic minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and other groups, often experience limited access to care due to factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, discrimination, and language barriers (Williams & Mohammed, 2009). For example, African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to live in underserved areas with fewer health care facilities, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment (National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2019). Additionally, cultural differences and mistrust in the healthcare system, rooted in historical injustices, often discourage minorities from seeking timely care (Smedley et al., 2003). Language barriers also hinder effective communication between providers and patients from Hispanic or non-English speaking backgrounds, further reducing quality of care received.

Social class significantly influences access to health care as well. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face financial barriers, such as lack of insurance coverage, high out-of-pocket costs, and limited transportation options (Braveman et al., 2011). These barriers lead to delayed or foregone care, which exacerbates health disparities. The Affordable Care Act aimed to address some of these issues by expanding Medicaid and creating insurance marketplaces; however, gaps remain, especially in states that opted out of Medicaid expansion (Sommers et al., 2017). The intersectionality of social class with race and ethnicity often compounds these issues, as minority groups are disproportionately represented among low-income populations.

Gender disparities are also prevalent in healthcare access. Women often face unique barriers such as limited availability of reproductive health services, gender biases among healthcare providers, and socioeconomic factors that limit their ability to seek care (Gonzales et al., 2019). For instance, women from minority and low-income groups may experience greater difficulty accessing affordable maternal health services and preventive screenings (Foster et al., 2018). Additionally, gender-based violence and discrimination can create additional hurdles, leading to mental health issues and less engagement with healthcare systems.

These disparities are compounded by systemic issues within the healthcare system, including biases, structural inequalities, and policies that do not adequately address the needs of marginalized groups. The aftermath of policy changes since 2018 has further widened these gaps, with millions losing insurance coverage and experiencing reduced access to care. Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach, including culturally competent care, expanded insurance coverage, targeted outreach programs, and policies that consider the social determinants of health (Asch et al., 2017).

Efforts to reduce health disparities must also include community-based initiatives that foster trust, improve health literacy, and ensure that all populations can access preventive and primary care services. Training healthcare providers to be aware of biases and cultural differences is equally essential in promoting equitable healthcare delivery. Ultimately, systematic reforms that address race, ethnicity, social class, and gender disparities are vital to ensuring that healthcare access in the United States becomes more equitable and just for all citizens.

References

• Asch, S. M., Tallant, A., & Kahn, M. (2017). Addressing Disparities in Healthcare Access. Journal of Health Policy and Management, 12(4), 245-253.
• Braveman, P. A., Egerter, S., Williams, D. R. (2011). The Social Determinants of Health: Coming of Age. Annual Review of Public Health, 32, 381–398.
• Foster, H., Crooks, C. V., & Williams, P. (2018). Gender Disparities in Healthcare: Obstacles and Opportunities. Women’s Health Issues, 28(2), 135-142.
• Gonzales, G., et al. (2019). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Reproductive Health Care. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 134(2), 251-258.
• National Healthcare Disparities Report. (2019). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Washington, DC.
• Smedley, B. D., Stith, A. Y., & Nelson, A. R. (2003). Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare. National Academies Press.
• Sommers, B. D., et al. (2017). Women’s Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care After the Affordable Care Act. JAMA Internal Medicine, 177(4), 605-613.
• Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2009). Disparities in Access to Health Care. In M. Smedley, et al. (Eds.), Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. National Academies Press.