The Uninsured: A Forgotten Population Kenya McClendon ✓ Solved

THE UNINSURED: A FORGOTTEN POPULATION Kenya McClendon

There are numerous difficulties faced by vulnerable populations in obtaining and using health care. These difficulties are important policy concerns that become barriers affecting the disparity in promoting health care delivery in the workplace. The vulnerable populations addressed are the uninsured: a forgotten population. Uninsured people are less likely to receive recommended care for disease prevention, such as cancer screening, dental care, counseling about diet and exercise, and flu vaccination. They also are less likely to receive recommended care for disease management, such as diabetes care management (Mitka, 2004).

46 million Americans are uninsured. About 1/3 of U.S. residents report problems accessing care, and approximately 2/3 had delayed care due to problems in paying for health services. The uninsured are almost six times more likely than the insured to postpone health care for a serious condition because they cannot afford it. Uninsured pregnant women are at greatest risk for starting prenatal visits late and having an inadequate number of visits compared to both privately insured women and those with Medicaid. Among persons with severe mental illnesses, the uninsured are less likely to access needed health care than those covered by insurance. Lack of insurance is related to substandard care, such as using fewer procedures and having shorter inpatient stays than the insured.

The causes of being uninsured are varied and complex. Factors disrupting normal access to health care can arise from systemic issues within healthcare policies, economic instability, or individual circumstances. Understanding the reasons behind the uninsured status is crucial for developing effective interventions aimed at improving access to necessary healthcare services.

Barriers to Healthcare Access

The barriers faced by uninsured populations extend beyond mere access to healthcare. A myriad of systemic challenges contributes to the lack of health insurance coverage among these individuals. Economic factors, including high unemployment rates and low wage jobs, often lead to individuals losing employer-sponsored health insurance or being unable to afford individual plans. Furthermore, many individuals may not qualify for public assistance programs, leaving them without viable options for coverage.

In addition, the stigmatization and social isolation that come with being uninsured can detrimentally affect mental health, further complicating access to healthcare. The fear of incurring high medical bills can prevent individuals from seeking care until their conditions become acute, at which point treatment is likely to be more complicated and costly.

The Impact of Uninsurance on Health Outcomes

The health outcomes for uninsured individuals are often dire. Data indicate that without insurance, individuals are less likely to receive preventative care services, which can lead to advanced stages of diseases being diagnosed too late for effective treatment. For instance, the American Cancer Society suggests that individuals without health insurance are nearly 40% less likely to undergo cancer screenings that could detect the disease early and improve prognosis (American Cancer Society, 2021).

Additionally, uninsured individuals often experience higher rates of mortality and morbidity because of delayed or inadequate treatment. A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine revealed that uninsured individuals who require hospital care face significantly higher mortality rates compared to their insured counterparts (Institute of Medicine, 2002).

Policy Responses to Uninsurance

Efforts to address the issue of uninsurance have continued to evolve, particularly with the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA aimed to expand access to healthcare by providing subsidies for private insurance plans and expanding Medicaid eligibility in participating states. Although significant progress has been made, approximately 30 million Americans still remain uninsured as of 2021 (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021).

There is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to further reduce the number of uninsured Americans. Proposals range from single-payer healthcare systems to public options that would allow individuals to buy into a government-sponsored insurance program. Each of these proposals carries its own set of potential advantages and challenges that policymakers must weigh carefully.

Conclusion

The plight of the uninsured is a pressing public health issue that requires continued attention and action. Addressing the barriers to healthcare access, improving health outcomes, and enhancing policy responses are essential steps in caring for this vulnerable population. While initiatives aimed at increasing insurance coverage are crucial, they must be accompanied by efforts to improve the overall quality of care within the healthcare system to ensure that all individuals receive the health care they need.

References

• American Cancer Society. (2021). Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2021. Atlanta: American Cancer Society.
• Institute of Medicine. (2002). Care Without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Key Facts about the Uninsured Population. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/uninsured/fact-sheet/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/
• Mitka, M. (2004). The Uninsured in America: A Population at Risk. JAMA, 291(19), 2358-2359.
• National Center for Health Statistics. (2020). Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/insur202101.pdf
• Doty, M. M., & פלאי, J. (2019). The Uninsured: The Forgotten Population. Health Affairs, 38(2), 160-162.
• Wagners, P. & bakım, A. (2017). Financial Burden of Health Care for Low-Income Adults with Unmet Health Needs. American Journal of Public Health, 107(3), 493-498.
• Health Resources and Services Administration. (2020). The Health Center Program: Uninsured Patients. Retrieved from https://bphc.hrsa.gov/
• Schoen, C., et al. (2013). Insured but Not Protected: How Many Adults are Underinsured? New York: The Commonwealth Fund.
• Sommers, B. D., et al. (2020). Three-Year Impacts of the Affordable Care Act: Improved Medical Care and Health for Adults. Health Services Research, 55(3), 511-521.