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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.

Research Brief

What Does High-Quality Care Mean for Veterans with Invisible Wounds?

Oct 22, 2020

Many veterans have difficulty accessing high-quality care for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. As clinical providers and veteran-serving organizations aim to improve access, a shared definition of high-quality care for these conditions would help them better meet veterans' needs.
Content

What Telemedicine Needs to Succeed Beyond COVID-19

Sep 2, 2020

Virtual doctor visits have become part of the new normal. Since the first COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, Medicare and other payers have relaxed their rules to make it easier for patients to connect to care. But without permanent policy changes, physicians may not continue telemedicine services.

Explore Health Care Access

Journal Article

Journal Article

The Surgical and Anesthesia Workforce and Provision of Surgical Services in Rural Communities: A Mixed-Methods Examination

This mixed-methods study describes the distribution of the surgical and anesthesia workforce and qualitatively explores how such workforce and other factors influence rural hospitals' provision of surgical services.

Nov 24, 2020
Report

Mental Health Task-Shifting in Community-Based Organizations: Implementation, Impact, and Cost — Evaluation of the Connections to Care Program

In this report, RAND researchers describe the Connections to Care task-shifting model and their evaluation of how it was implemented, its intended impact on mental health and other outcomes, and how much it costs community-based organizations.

Nov 12, 2020
Blog

'Internet of Bodies,' COVID-19 as a Preexisting Condition, Preventive Health Care: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the potential risks and benefits of the 'Internet of Bodies,' what might happen if the ACA is struck down and COVID-19 is considered a preexisting condition, a drop in the use of preventive care, and more.

Nov 6, 2020
Essay

There's Help for Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Many post-9/11 veterans who have PTSD or depression also struggle with substance use. There are clinically proven treatments to help break the cycle of the co-occurring disorders, but the VA and other facilities need guidance on how to expand and enhance treatment opportunities for these veterans.

Nov 4, 2020
Commentary

COVID-19: Preexisting Condition in a Post-ACA World?

The Affordable Care Act is far from perfect, but its protections are particularly relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the ACA is struck down, then protections for preexisting conditions will go with it. Policymakers should consider the potential implications for millions of COVID-19 survivors.

Nov 4, 2020
Report

Defining High-Quality Care for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

A rigorously developed, shared definition of high-quality care for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury will help clinical providers and veteran-serving organizations better meet veterans' needs.

Oct 22, 2020
Journal Article

Journal Article

The Complex Cancer Care Coverage Environment: What Is the Role of Legislation? A Case Study from Massachusetts

We identified five current cancer coverage state laws and interviewed experts on their perceptions of the relevance of the laws and how well they meet the current needs of cancer care given rapid changes in therapies.

Oct 13, 2020
Commentary

Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19

Today, every American community is sitting at a crossroads, as local governments continue to address the health crisis of COVID-19 while grappling with the financial realities of maintaining operations. While some communities may take a more traditional route of only investing further in health care services, there is an opportunity to take a more holistic approach and address the multitude of factors that have contributed to the devastation of COVID-19.

Oct 2, 2020
Journal Article

Journal Article

Use of Tele–mental Health in Conjunction With In-Person Care: A Qualitative Exploration of Implementation Models

Exploration of implementation models for tele–mental health.

Oct 2, 2020
Journal Article

Journal Article

Promises and Pitfalls of Health Information Technology for Home and Community-Based Services

Structural reforms required by the Medicaid Balancing Incentive Program gave states an opportunity to modernize their HCBS systems through health information technology. Barriers to technology adoption persist, underscoring the need for continued support in future rebalancing efforts.

Sep 15, 2020
Journal Article

Association of Pregnancy and Insurance Status With Treatment Access for Opioid Use Disorder

In this cross-sectional study with random assignment of clinicians and simulated-patient callers, many women, especially pregnant women, faced barriers to accessing treatment. Given the high out-of-pocket costs and lack of acceptance of insurance among many clinicians, access to affordable opioid use disorder treatment is a significant concern.

Sep 3, 2020
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.

Sep 1, 2020
Commentary

Moving on from Telehealth-by-Desperation: What Will Make Telehealth Stick

During the COVID-19 pandemic telehealth has helped to maintain continuity of care for millions of Americans, preserve personal protective equipment, and facilitate social distancing. But that does not mean that telehealth will be embraced by patients and providers in the long run.

Aug 18, 2020
Report

Report

Health Service Utilization and Costs at the Outset of a Permanent Supportive Housing Program: Baseline Evaluation Report

This report presents a baseline assessment of an innovative permanent supportive housing program to help address homelessness, examining demographic and clinical characteristics of enrollees and health care service utilization and costs.

Aug 10, 2020
Blog

RAND's Response to a Past Pandemic: HIV/AIDS

In the 1980s, HIV/AIDS killed 90 percent of those infected. RAND was at the forefront of the research response, providing key data on costs of care, barriers to access, and the disease's effects on quality of life. RAND continues to pursue ways to ease HIV's impact in the United States and Africa.

May 19, 2020
Journal Article

Journal Article

Examining the Association Between Religiosity and Medical Mistrust Among Churchgoing Latinos in Long Beach, CA

The present study examined the association between religiosity and medical mistrust in a sample of Latino adults attending Catholic and Pentecostal churches in Long Beach, CA.

May 19, 2020
Commentary

How to Help Refugees and Host Countries Combat COVID-19

Having escaped conflict and persecution, refugees now risk illness and death from COVID-19. That risk is heightened by a policy regime that focuses largely on refugees in camps, not the almost two-thirds who live in urban areas. But the crisis could provide an opportunity to reform a broken system for the benefit of refugees and host countries alike.

May 18, 2020
Blog

Preparing for a Post-Vaccine World, Domestic Abuse, the Future of War: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on why we need a blueprint for a post-vaccine world, helping domestic abuse victims during COVID-19, the pandemic's historic economic effects, and more.

May 15, 2020

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RAND Topic:
Health Care Access

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