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Lack of Insurance Impacts Use of Health Services

Tue, 05/16/2000 - 11:00pm — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reports that people without health insurance are less likely to get the health care they need. Participants in the National Access to Care Survey were asked whether they had experienced any of 15 highly serious or morbid symptoms. Those who did were asked whether they received medical care and, if care was not received, whether care was thought to have been necessary. The uninsured were more likely to say that they did not even attempt to access care, although they felt that care was necessary. 63% of the uninsured said that not receiving care affected their health, and 57% said they had personal, household, or work problems because they did not receive medical care, compared to 13% and 20% of the insured.

Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reports that people without health insurance are less likely to get the health care they need. Participants in the National Access to Care Survey were asked whether they had experienced any of 15 highly serious or morbid symptoms. Those who did were asked whether they received medical care and, if care was not received, whether care was thought to have been necessary. The uninsured were more likely to say that they did not even attempt to access care, although they felt that care was necessary. 63% of the uninsured said that not receiving care affected their health, and 57% said they had personal, household, or work problems because they did not receive medical care, compared to 13% and 20% of the insured.