Income and the Receipt of Medical Care

Abstract

Low-income groups are disadvantaged in the receipt of medical care because of their low purchasing power and the culture of poverty. Of special concern are deficits in maternal and child care, specialist services, immunizations and other preventive care. Public medical programs vary in adequacy and unmet needs remain. Medical programs for the poor should be coordinated with general and multi-faceted efforts against poverty. Programming, to be effective, must take into account the interrelations of purchasing power, perceptions of economic mobility, and attitudes associated with poverty.