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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

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

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 it is unknown how aware the public is of these differences, and how the pandemic has changed perceptions of equity and access to health care.

Mar 30, 2021
Blog

Game Theory to Help the Vaccine Rollout, Abraham Accords, Telehealth: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on how game theory can help the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, potential economic benefits of the Abraham Accords, telemedicine use during the pandemic, and more.

Mar 19, 2021
Multimedia

Pros and Cons of Telehealth

RAND senior policy researcher Lori Uscher-Pines presents the pros and cons of telehealth.

Mar 17, 2021
Commentary

The Uncertain Future of Audio-Only Visits and Why We Need Them to Address Disparities

Audio-only health care visits have been instrumental in maintaining access to care during the pandemic. Despite this, coverage for audio-only visits is likely temporary. Devaluing and prematurely casting off a key telemedicine modality could mean the difference between a needed doctor visit and no visit at all.

Mar 12, 2021
Journal Article

Perceived Care Coordination Among Permanent Supportive Housing Participants: Evidence from a Managed Care Plan in the United States

The study explored patient perceptions of care coordination in a permanent supportive housing program operated by a large health plan in Southern California.

Mar 12, 2021
Report

Measures and Methodology for International Comparisons of Health Care System Performance: Final Report

RAND researchers worked with 15 experts in quality measurement, clinical care, and health economics to generate potential measure constructs that could improve the U.S. ability to learn from international comparisons of health system performance.

Feb 24, 2021

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RAND Topic:
Health Care Access

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