Policy Recommendation on Healthcare Disparities

Disparities occur in healthcare just as in any other industry and form of life. The term refers to differences or inequalities; thus, in healthcare, disparities are the variations and differences of healthcare services across population groups. These differences occur depending on the race, age brackets, gender, and even sexual orientation. Healthcare disparities are a hindrance to effective and quality healthcare in a country and should be addressed immediately and effectively (Artiga, 2018). A group of people likely to face healthcare disparities that are defined by their income and socioeconomic status are people of low income. When comparing low income and high-income individuals, high-income people are more insured as they can afford, while low-income individuals still struggle with finding an adequate salary to be guaranteed. The two individuals have a large gap as in 2016, the most impoverished household accumulated approximately $13,000 per annum while the richest $214,000 pa (Artiga, 2018). Out of 17.8 % of the uninsured population, the low-income population characterizes the highest percentage. Another group is African American men with high prevalent homicide-related deaths.

A common policy that is seen to encourage healthcare disparities is among incarcerated individuals. Some states terminate the Medicaid or Medicare coverage as well as the benefits once one is incarcerated. This act encourages healthcare disparities as even prisoners can get seriously ill and may need to acquire the inmate exclusion provision. This shows the differences in healthcare providence for a free and convicted person, yet they have the same human life aspect and can get seriously ill (Artiga, 2018). Addressing healthcare disparities among low-income people can be best achieved through the collaboration of the state, local community, and private agencies to curb all causal factors from all corners. For instance, the state is working tirelessly to provide insurance coverage to low-income people through the ACA. The national level may be equipped but may lack the capacity to reach the grassroots of early poor people that local community-based organizations and private agencies can reach. With this collaboration, healthcare disparity menace is addressed from all corners and all roots. It becomes an effective policy and investment.

Reference

Artiga, K. O. (2018, August 8). Disparities in Health and Health Care: Five Key Questions and Answers. Retrieved from KFF: https://www.kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health-care-five-key-questions-and-answers/