Healthcare Access
Background
Healthcare access pertains to the ability of individuals to obtain necessary medical services. This issue encompasses a range of factors including the affordability of healthcare, insurance coverage, availability of medical services, and the quality of care. The U.S. healthcare system is a complex mix of private and public insurance programs, with varying levels of coverage and cost. Major components of this system include Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance provided by employers or purchased individually, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges.