Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care for Low-Income Non-Citizen Adults

Publication Date: June 2007

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This brief analyzes heath insurance coverage and access for low-income non-citizen adults and discusses provider insights into the obstacles this population faces in obtaining coverage and receiving care. Overall, non-citizen adults account for just under one-fourth of all non-elderly uninsured adults. Low-income uninsured adults are at particularly high risk for being uninsured due to very limited access to both private and public coverage.


The brief finds that, largely due to their high uninsured rate, low-income non-citizen adults have very poor access to care. Although they have more limited access to care, low-income non-citizen adults are not relying on the emergency room for their care. Instead, many rely on clinics and health centers.