Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 19, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 995-999

Medicaid Expansion and Healthcare Access: Lessons from Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences in California (Article)

Cook W.K.* , John I. , Chung C. , Tseng W. , Lee J.P.
  • a Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 6001 Shellmound St. Suite 450, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States
  • b Policy Advocacy Branch, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Oakland, CA, United States
  • c Health Policy and Planning Program, San Mateo County Health System, San Mateo, CA, United States
  • d School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • e Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA, United States

Abstract

Medicaid coverage increases access to care and improves health outcomes for disadvantaged populations. Yet disparities in enrollment and access to care persist. To understand the facilitators and barriers of Medicaid enrollment and accessing care under the Affordable Care Act for disadvantaged Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted. Informational barriers to accessing care were pervasive among most new enrollees. Immigrants with limited English proficiency experienced disproportionate difficulties in enrolling and accessing care post enrollment. The simplified, income-based Medicaid eligibility streamlined the enrollment process, but system errors in determining Medicaid eligibility denied coverage for some eligible individuals. To improve access to care, health plans, government agencies, and community organizations might coordinate more closely. Federal and state laws that mandate language assistance by health plans might be enforced to improve access to care for linguistic minorities. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Health care access Asian American health Language access Medicaid Pacific Islander health

Index Keywords

California Interviews as Topic Asian Americans government Asian American medicaid Oceanic Ancestry Group State Government Health Services Accessibility language poverty interview organization and management United States human Humans Federal Government health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84988598860&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-016-0496-x&partnerID=40&md5=43daacd6870b93b5657524725c2b8974
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0496-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English