In: Economics
In the U.S. health care system, what are the two basic challenges to access which will not be resolved by a mere expansion of health insurance to the uninsured?
1) Structural barriers – Examples of structural barriers include lack of transport to healthcare providers, inability to obtain convenient appointment times and lengthy waiting room times.
2) Lack of financial resources and inequality – Lack of available finance is a barrier to healthcare for many Americans but access to healthcare is reduced most among minority populations. Racial and ethnic minorities are often given a health insurance plan that limits amount of services available to them as well as the number of providers they can use.