Differences in the health insurance status and health care services utilization among Hispanics in the United States.

摘要

The ability to maintain, promote, monitor, or restore good health status is greatly affected by the health care services available. It has been suggested that many Hispanics cannot maintain good health status because of poor ability to have adequate insurance and access services as many of them have spent a lifetime in under-paying jobs with no chance for advancement due to educational and cultural barriers, not to mention discrimination. The purpose of this health research study was to determine the differences in health care service utilization among the Hispanics in the United States in regards to health insurance status. The results of this study suggest that uninsured individuals are less likely to use health care services than those insured. Moreover, privately insured individuals use health services less than those covered under Medicare and Medicaid, suggesting a differential effect of the insurance coverage policies among the insured.