Access to healthcare services has been and continues to be a major issue in both developed and developing countries. Taking the example of the United States, despite having a robust healthcare system among other developed nations, there are still consistent challenges such as inability to access healthcare for some populations. Such a state of being undermines the country’s access to a healthy workforce leading to an ever-existing demand for skilled workers from foreign countries. However, a measure such as Obamacare was created to promote increased access through federal insurance subsidies. A deeper discussion of the issue of healthcare access can help understand government efforts towards helping vulnerable populations acquire medical services.
Before discussing government interventions towards the issue of healthcare access, an exploration of the concept of vulnerable populations is warranted. Grabovschi, Loignon and Fortin (2013) cited that vulnerable populations are those that are unlikely to access healthcare services due to various factors. Some of the key features which define vulnerable populations are such as lack of insurance, their poverty status, lack of a regular source of care, self-reported history of illness alongside self-rated status of health (Grabovschi, Loignon & Fortin, 2013). Therefore, vulnerability is defined or described as being the convergence of the said factors or variables. In the United States, there are various groups which qualify as vulnerable populations when it comes to health. Three of these populations are the chronically ill and disabled, homeless or low-income individuals and communities living in geographically isolated areas (Joszt, 2018). All the three types of vulnerable populations mentioned are characteristic of a variable which sidelines them when it comes to access to medical services. For instance, the chronically ill and disabled are at an increased of poor health outcomes and are twice as likely to report poor health experiences compared to the general population. Individuals in low-income neighborhoods means that they are unable to acquire health insurance hence undermining their chances of getting treated for the various health conditions they face. Lastly, geographically isolated regions limit rural communities from accessing healthcare due to poor infrastructure, low socioeconomic status as well as limited employment opportunities (Joszt, 2018). Therefore, bundled together, the said factors limit the chances of individuals having access to healthcare services.
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Among the three groups, individuals located in geographically isolated areas experience the biggest barriers to healthcare access. Foutz, Cohen and Cook (2016) discussed the challenges that Alaska Natives experiences as pertains to healthcare access. The authors explained that ageing in Alaska demands facing unique sociodemographic, environment and infrastructural issues which include extreme climate conditions. Such facts demonstrate the various conmbining aspects which make Alaska Natives a vulnerable population in terms of healthcare access. However, various programs such as the Health Resources and Service Administration have promoted the establishment of the Bureau of Health Professions which addresses workforce shortages and lack of diversity in already existing health workers. The idea is to promote an increase in workers competent in provision of primary care services (The Commonwealth Fund, n.d.). Apart from that Bureau of Primary Health Care providers provides funding for technical assistance to federally acquired health centers. The main goal is to allow healthcare access to underserved, uninsured, and low-income populations. Lastly, the Rural Health Clinic program, which is funded by the government, provides cost-based reimbursement from both Medicare and Medicaid to help sustain rural health clinics (The Commonwealth Fund, n.d.). In order to further address the issue of healthcare access for vulnerable populations, there should be an increase in state funding for healthcare programs and projects across the country. These can help promote access to information which vulnerable populations can use to educate themselves about avenues through which they can access medical services.
Conclusion
Healthcare access is a major challenge which target populations underserved and languishing in illness alongside other adversities. However, the federal government can provide extra support such as acquiring more resources to provide primary care services to vulnerable populations. While there are various factors which should be considered, the problem at hand can be managed.
References
Foutz, J. D., Cohen, S. A., & Cook, S. K. (2016). Challenges and barriers to health care and overall health in older residents of Alaska: evidence from a national survey. International journal of circumpolar health , 75 , 30348. doi:10.3402/ijch.v75.30348
Grabovschi, C., Loignon, C., & Fortin, M. (2013). Mapping the concept of vulnerability related to health care disparities: a scoping review. BMC health services research , 13 , 94. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-13-94
Joszt, S. (2018, July 20). 5 vulnerable populations in healthcare. AJMC. Retrieved from https://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/5-vulnerable-populations-in-healthcare
The Commonwealth Fund. (n.d.). State and federal efforts to enhance access to basic health care. Retrieved from https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/state-and-federal-efforts-enhance-access-basic-health-care
