Trends in Access to Health Care : Disparities by Poverty Status and Health Insurance , 1996-2006

Access to medical care is a central concern to U.S. policymakers and those interested in health care reform. Wide disparities in access by poverty status and health insurance status are of special importance. This Statistical Brief describes trends in access to health care through the period between 1996-2006 using data from the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC). Two indicators of access to ambulatory health care are described: 1) the percentage of individuals who have a usual source of care (USC) and 2) the percentage who had at least one office-based physician visit during the year.