For too long, we have tolerated wide disparities in the opportunity to live a healthy life. The disparities exist along many dimensions, but perhaps most striking are differences associated with insurance coverage, income, race or ethnicity, health status, and age. Many of these risk factors go together: for example, compared with white Americans, minority Americans are more likely to have low incomes. But even holding constant for income, minority Americans have markedly poorer health outcomes and receive lower-quality care.
(33)In a country that prides itself on equal justice for all, it is difficult to find any dimension of the U.S. health care system that performs equally for all Americans. The uninsured are less likely to get needed care.
(34) Low-income workers are less likely to have sick leave and paid time off to see a physician.
(35) Minority patients are more likely to have chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, and less likely to have those conditions well-controlled.
(36) Disabled and sicker adults are more likely to report medical errors and problems with uncoordinated care.
(37) Patients that do not speak English are less likely to be able to understand their physicians and recommended medical treatment.
(38) Immigrants work hard to succeed in this country, but all too often fail to be taken care of when their health fails.
