A usual source of care: supplement or substitute for health insurance among low-income children?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine the separate and combined effects of having health insurance and a usual source of care (USC) on access to healthcare for low-income children and to determine if one or the other is superior in ensuring better access to necessary services.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional, multivariable analyses of data from a mail-return survey of Oregon's food stamp program. Results from 2681 completed surveys were weighted back to a population of 84,087 families with adjustments for oversampling techniques and nonresponse.

Results

Among low-income Oregon children, those with health insurance and a USC reported the best access to healthcare. In multivariable comparisons to this reference group, insured children without a USC had higher rates of unmet medica

SUBMITTER: DeVoe JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4926763 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature