Have we succeeded in reducing barriers to medical care for African and Hispanic Americans with disabilities?

Abstract

There has been considerable progress in reducing barriers to care for African and Hispanics Americans. Yet current research indicates that overall African and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately encountering barriers to care. Unfortunately very little is known regarding the status of African and Hispanic Americans with disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to assess by using data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES), the degree of disability for African, Hispanic and Native Americans and the extent to which it is correlated with the use of services. The findings report that as in the case of other African and Hispanic Americans, African and Hispanic Americans with disabilities disproportionately encounter barriers to care. They are more likely than whites to lack insurance, a regular provider and less likely to see a doctor during the year. The implications of these findings for the care of persons with disabilities are discussed.