Healthcare is a Human Right- Barriers to Access with a Race and Gender Lens

The Medicaid system provides government-funded health insurance to more than 70 million low-income Americans. However, many still struggle to access Medicaid and obtain health insurance, with nearly 11 percent of Americans remaining uninsured in 2019. Existing literature suggests that administrative burdens, service barriers, socioeconomic and language constraints, and stigma surrounding welfare are common obstacles to applying, and that those barriers are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research exists on the lived experiences of applicants interacting with these barriers to Medicaid access. Thus, this study sought to fill this gap through: A) collecting narratives from applicants navigating barriers and B) determining the most common barriers to accessing Medicaid in seven regions: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, New Hampshire, Texas, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.

In consultation with the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) and its affiliate organizations, the team designed a survey that was distributed by the respective affiliate organization in each region. In addition to survey data, the study collected written, video, and audio responses to capture lived experiences of applicants. The research team then analyzed the data and identified key patterns that CPD will use to work with state Medicaid agencies on best practices and to inform future advocacy efforts. Data showed that respondents faced numerous service barriers interfacing with Medicaid system infrastructure, especially phone and customer-service-related challenges. Respondents also reported feeling burdened by the time-consuming process and complicated application and renewal requirements.

View the report written by Eli Vitulli and edited by Center for Popular Democracy, Alaskans Take a Stand, Arkansas Community Organizations, Opportunity Knocks Delaware, Rights and Democracy, Texas Organizing Project, Our Future West Virginia, and SPACEs in Action: Sick of Waiting: Barriers to Medicaid Keep Healthcare Out of Reach. This brief draws in part from Healthcare is a Human Right: Examining Barriers to Medicaid Access, a report on initial findings written by this Capstone team.

Farish, Terry. ‘Sick of Waiting,’ New Report Documents Barriers to Medicaid. InDepthNH: NH Center for Public Interest Journalism. February 1, 2022.