Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap

This report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), released June 9, highlights health disparities in the U.S. to strengthen the case for health reform.  The report notes that 40 percent of low-income Americans do not have health insurance, that roughly one-third of uninsured residents have a chronic disease, and that such residents are six times less likely to receive health care than those with insurance.  In contrast, only 6 percent of high-income Americans lack insurance.  The report also details numerous racial and ethnic health disparities for insurance, access to care, and specific health conditions. 

Download the report: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/healthdisparities/disparities_final.pdf