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Health Care Access

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Access to health care refers to the ease with which an individual can obtain needed medical services. RAND research has examined the social, cultural, economic, and geographic factors that influence health care access worldwide; the effects of changes in access; and the relationship between access and health for specific U.S. populations—including racial and ethnic minorities, people with limited English proficiency, the uninsured, the elderly, children, and veterans.

Commentary

Vaccine Patents Debate Risks Becoming a Sideshow

May 17, 2021

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge around the world, the debate is raging over whether patents on existing vaccines should be waived. But the global community could view patent waivers as just one of many available tools for speeding up vaccine delivery worldwide.
News Release

Growth of Telehealth During Pandemic Occurred Mostly in More Affluent and in Metropolitan Areas

Mar 15, 2021

Increases in the use of telehealth during the coronavirus pandemic among people with private insurance has occurred mostly among those who are more affluent and those who live in metropolitan areas.

Explore Health Care Access

Report

Implementation and 12-Month Health Service Utilization and Cost Outcomes from a Managed Care Health Plan's Permanent Supportive Housing Program

This report presents an implementation and outcome study of a permanent supportive housing program—including service utilization and associated costs review—operated by a not-for-profit Medicaid and Medicare managed care plan in Southern California.

Oct 25, 2021
Journal Article

Population-Based Estimates of Geographic Accessibility of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder by Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities from 2014 to 2020

This cross-sectional study of substance use disorder treatment facilities examined the national share of facilities that offer medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and population-based measures of geographic accessibility of facilities offering MOUD.

Oct 22, 2021
Report

Going to the Doctor: Rideshare as Nonemergency Medical Transportation

The authors examine rideshare's role in nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) and identify key populations for whom and the types of rides for which NEMT could be a model, rideshare's role in NEMT, and the policies that support such a role.

Oct 12, 2021
Journal Article

Homeless Children and Young People: A Review of Interventions Supporting Access to Healthcare Services

One of the many risks associated with a lack of secure housing is difficulty in accessing healthcare. This research note looks at the healthcare needs of homeless children and young people and identifies interventions that support them.

Sep 14, 2021
Report

Assessing Health and Human Services Needs to Support an Integrated Health in All Policies Plan for Prince George's County, Maryland

This report describes a health and human services needs assessment of Prince George's County, Maryland. Findings from this report can inform Prince George's County's pursuit of a Health in All Policies approach to policymaking.

Aug 26, 2021
Commentary

Fintech's Role in Reducing Disparities and Financial Barriers to Health Care Access

Given the growing pressures on health care systems globally and the need for innovative approaches to financing health care, the time may be ripe to develop a robust evidence base and share learning on fintech-enabled approaches that could support universal health coverage agendas and healthier and more stable societies.

Jul 26, 2021
Journal Article

Perceived Impacts of a Medicaid Rebalancing Initiative to Increase Home- and Community-Based Services

Stakeholders reported that BIP participation had a range of impacts on the HCBS ecosystem, often beyond the structural reforms. Our findings highlight BIP impacts to monitor over the long term and to consider in evaluations of future rebalancing efforts.

Jul 16, 2021
Research Brief

How Does Telehealth Affect Health Care Quality, Access, Equity, and Costs?

Early in the pandemic, health care providers pivoted to telehealth out of necessity. But as policymakers begin to look beyond the pandemic, concerns about telehealth's effects on health care spending and quality will arise again.

Jul 8, 2021
Multimedia

Funding Social Care: The Public's Preferences

Jon Sussex, chief economist at RAND Europe, spoke as part of We Are the Solution, the Institute of Health and Social Care Management (IHSCM) Future of Social Care Conference.

Jun 23, 2021
Multimedia

Digital Technologies to Improve Health and Care

John Campbell, professor of general practice and primary care at the University of Exeter, and Brandi Leach, senior analyst at RAND Europe, discuss how primary care practices can support patients' use of digital services.

Jun 18, 2021
Commentary

How COVID-19 Lessons Can Transform U.S. Mental Health Care

It would be a powerful conclusion to the pandemic if Americans reimagined a health system that was resilient against future threats, including the resulting psychological trauma. Policymakers have the opportunity now to cut short the pandemic's long tail of mental illness by taking decisive action.

Jun 2, 2021
Commentary

Australian and U.S. Military Health Professionals Can Help Address Pacific Island Needs

Australia and the United States can combine their military health capabilities to help improve the long-term health security of Pacific island countries. These partnerships should be carefully planned and focus on enduring engagement.

May 5, 2021
Commentary

America Could Do More to Get the World Vaccinated

After waging its own withering battle with COVID-19, the United States appears to be coming to grips with the pandemic and its economy is recovering. Now could be the time for America to play a greater role in global vaccination, both out of generosity and self-interest.

May 4, 2021
Journal Article

Associations Between Individual Demographic Characteristics And Involuntary Health Care Delays As A Result Of COVID-19

We provide the first evidence on associations between individual characteristics and the propensity to experience an involuntary care disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apr 27, 2021
Commentary

No Patient Left Behind: Considering Equitable Distribution of Telehealth

The pandemic has revealed telemedicine's potential to improve health care delivery and access. Telemedicine could help reach patients who would normally be excluded or alienated by the traditional structure of the health system.

Apr 20, 2021
News Release

Liaison and Diversion Services Can Help Vulnerable People in the Criminal Justice System

An NHS England programme aimed at supporting vulnerable people in the criminal justice system may significantly reduce the chances of those with mental and other health needs from receiving custodial sentences.

Apr 12, 2021
Research Brief

Findings from the national evaluation of Liaison and Diversion services in England

An outcome evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion scheme in England, which identifies and supports people in the criminal justice system with health issues and vulnerabilities, using a novel, large-scale linked data set.

Apr 12, 2021
Report

Outcome Evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion

An outcome evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion scheme in England, which identifies and supports people in the criminal justice system with health issues and vulnerabilities, using a novel, large-scale linked data set.

Apr 12, 2021
Journal Article

Americans' View of the Impact of COVID-19: Perspectives on Racial Impacts and Equity

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disparate effect on African Americans and Latino groups. But how much public awareness is there of inequities? And how has the pandemic changed perceptions of equity and access to health care?

Mar 30, 2021

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RAND Topic:
Health Care Access

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