Leveling the Field — Ensuring Equity through National Health Care Reform

Abstract

The United States is in the midst of a profound demographic transition. By 2050, non-Hispanic whites will account for less than half the U.S. population and members of racial and ethnic minority groups will be in the majority. This shift is also reflected in the fact that the United States is now home to at least 20 million people who have low proficiency in the English language. Although there are differences among minority groups, all these populations face special challenges. Members of minority groups have higher rates of disease, poorer health, and more limited access to care than their white counterparts. They account for half of the uninsured population¹ and 58% of the low-income uninsured population.² Even when they have coverage, minority patients are at risk for receiving lower-quality medical and surgical care than white patients.³ The factors underlying these inequities are complex and go far beyond the health care system, but any meaningful reform must, at a minimum, confront disparities in care.